updated 12:46 p.m. ET Aug. 5, 2008

OXNARD, Calif. - Terrell Owens was still on the field, going to the edge of the huddle to listen to some of the plays being called by Tony Romo.

For the second consecutive practice, however, Owens didn’t run routes or catch any passes Monday morning at training camp. He didn’t even wear his No. 81 Dallas Cowboys jersey.

T.O. was given another break by coach Wade Phillips, a chance to refresh a bit as the Cowboys practiced for the 11th straight day since opening camp.

“It wasn’t like I was looking for a day off. ... I’m just doing what the coaches are telling me to do,” Owens said after the morning session. “If I was hurt, I’d be in the training room somewhere, or be out working with the trainers. But I feel fine, I feel good.”

Owens, who also didn’t participate in Sunday’s lone workout, said he expected to take part in the team’s second practice Monday.

Coach Wade Phillips is starting to periodically give some of the veterans a break from practice. The team doesn’t have a day off scheduled until Sunday, the day after their preseason opener.

Flozell Adams, the four-time Pro Bowl left tackle going into his 11th season, also didn’t participate in team and position drills Monday morning. Adams also got a break from the first of two practices Saturday.

Tight end Jason Witten and linebacker Zach Thomas also got a breather from practice Sunday with Owens. Both were back on the field Monday.

The plan for T.O. had initially been to let him take off one of the practices Saturday, but he had already warmed up and was ready to go on the field before coaches told him. He got Sunday off instead.

“I could have gone these days had they not given me a day off, I would have been out had there like everybody else,” Owens said. “Wade has done this over the years. ... I think it really has shown, not just on the practice field, but even on game day, that everybody’s a little bit livelier.”

The 34-year-old Owens is going into his 13th NFL season.

When the Cowboys were last in California for camp two years ago, when Bill Parcells was the coach, Owens was nursing a sore hamstring and spent most of his time on the sideline pedaling a stationary bicycle.

Phillips gave Owens a few days off last year in training camp to rest sore legs. T.O. then had one of the best seasons in his career, with 81 catches for 1,355 yards and a team-record 15 touchdowns.

Owens appreciates the breaks Phillips has given him.

“It’s just like racing horses, you can’t run them every day and expect them go out there on race day and perform at their best,” Owens said. “The same with cars, you run them to a certain point, then you put them in the shop and go through the diagnostics. That’s what I’m going through right now.”

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