*Editor's note: This story has been updated.
At literally the moment Cowboys coach Jason Garrett's statement announcing the dismissal of Scott Linehan hit reporters' email inboxes, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle stood before a small media gathering at the Mavericks' Lympo Practice facility and offered a brief statement about Dennis Smith Jr.'s status.
Carlisle's words weren't all that revealing because it already had been reported that Smith, 21, did not report for practice Friday morning and would not be accompanying the Mavericks on their two-game road trip to Indianapolis and Milwaukee.
"Dennis Smith is not here, but I wanted to let everybody know that I reached out to him and his agent last night to let them know that when he's feeling better he's welcome to rejoin the team at any time.