Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson is set to miss the start of preparations for the start of the new season after being struck in the eye with a paintball.

Wilson, 23, was leaving the field after being eliminated from the field and removed his helmet when a stray pellet struck him in the eye.

Vision in his right eye returned after a number of days and Wilson insisted he would not be missing for much of the Cowboys pre-season preparation.

"I can’t put a timeline on it, but it’s slowly coming back and getting better," said Wilson, who donned sunglasses as Cowboys practiced on Saturday for the first time. "Hopefully it’ll be back sooner than later."

Wilson was one of the team's breakthrough successes last year and coach Jason Garrett must plan without him for the foreseeable future.

"[The injury] is disappointing," he said. "I had planned to pick up where I left off, pick up in stride, but I guess I have to postpone it. But I’m staying in shape so when I do come back, I can pick up where I left off."