FRISCO, Texas – They say that when it doesn’t rain, it drizzles. And that seems to be happening to the Cowboys in recent weeks, as events that are under and out of their control add to their obvious game loss of the past four weeks.
No one at The Star will ever make a pretext that three setbacks in their four most recent games have to do with injuries, Covid infections, more than controversial referee markings and, of course, luck.
The most recent, perhaps one of the most difficult, hurdle they will have to dribble is the loss for at least a week, including the next game, Thursday against the Saints in New Orleans, from their head coach.
MIke McCarthy tested positive for Covid, so since Monday he has been isolated, although he said that thanks to his being asymptomatic he will be able to follow up remotely and participate virtually in the preparation of his Cowboys before facing the New Orleans Saints.
“We’re going to be ready for the game,” McCarthy said by teleconference Monday regarding the game against the Saints. “I can promise you that. Our healthy soccer team will be there, ready to play. I have great confidence in that.”
McCarthy is the fourth head coach who will have to miss coaching his team’s games in the NFL since the Covid pandemic began, including the Browns’ Kevin Stefanski, who was his first last season. This year, Cliff Klingsbury of Arizona and Matt Nagy of the Bears also had to be isolated.
“I told the guys that if he can give this to me, to NFL coaches, he can give to anyone. I’d like to believe that I was super careful and cautious,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy’s absence adds to all the situations that the Cowboys have experienced since the beginning of the season, when Zack Martin, their best offensive lineman, had to miss the first game of the season also due to Covid contagion; previously in preseason the defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, who will direct the game in New Orleans, had already been absent; Carlos Watkins and CeeDee Lambs also suffered before the opening kickoff.
In season, the Cowboys have already had Bradley Annae, Randy Gregory, Brandon Knight, Keanu Neal, Greg Zuerlein and Amari Cooper in reserve for Covid.
This week, the starting right tackle, Terence Steele, will be the one missed in a game in which they are supposed to have Cooper, who missed the previous two games for the same cause, Covid; joined by the team’s second wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who couldn’t get past the league’s concussion protocol after a hit in Kansas City.
It’s not easy for any team to try to win in the NFL if its two main receivers, both Pro Bowl caliber, are out. Because the Cowboys have depth at the position, they were able to compete on the air, despite impressions from quarterback Dak Prescott.
To that we must add the previous week the confrontation against the Raiders and even against the referees, who marked punishments everywhere, many quite questionable.
“It’s NFL season, you’re going to get ups and you’re going to get downs. Now we’re going through some downs,” said Dak Prescott. “We have to find a way to get back on the climb. We are really close.”
The Cowboys still haven’t played a game with the offensive line projected to start. This Thursday against the Saints could be the closest thing to having her together, considering that Lael Collins was considered the first right tackle, before losing the job to Steele, who opened the door for his suspension.
Thus, the offense would be almost complete, except for tight end Blake Jarwin (hip), who is on the injured list, and Zeke Elliott, who despite suffering from a knee, this Monday trained without restrictions.
On defense, they are also likely approaching the point of having expected starters before the start of the year, with the possible return of DeMarcus Lawrence, their leading defensive end on paper, who broke his foot training earlier. from the second game …
Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (elbow) is off the hurt list and now his coaches have 21 days to assess when he is 100 to hit the field. Safety Donovan Wilson (shoulder and chest) remains inactive.
Worse still, the Cowboys will have to go to New Orleans without their defensive tackle Trysten Hill, who just after his third game since being activated with injury this year, was suspended two games for the hit that threw a Raiders player to the ground. game over.
The situation remains complicated when they close preparation to face the Saints, who have their own problems, especially three consecutive losses, with their third quarterback in command.
“It’s very urgent (to beat the Saints),” Prescott responded. “This is a hungry and angry team just because of the way we’ve executed and played.”
