Dallas Cowboys place two players on COVID-19 reserve list ahead of crucial game
The Dallas Cowboys placed safety Darian Thompson and defensive tackle Justin Hamilton on the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, two days before Sunday’s crucial regular-season finale against the New York Giants.
The team worked virtually on Friday and conducted contract tracing.
According to a league spokesman, the situation is not expected to impact Sunday afternoon’s game against the Giants.
The Cowboys could see their season extended If they win at New York and the host Philadelphia Eagles beat Washington Sunday night. If those two things were to happen then the Cowboys will win the NFC East and host a playoff game next weekend.
“We’re going to do the extended protocol today,” coach Mike McCarthy said regarding the COVID-19 concerns. “We’re in a virtual meeting mode with the players and coaches. The players are virtual. The coaches are here. So, yes, we’re using the contact tracing protocols. And I guess we’ll be back to what you call a standard Saturday schedule in the morning.”
Thompson, who was already expected to miss the Giants game with a concussion, tested positive for COVID-19 and there is a chance he could be out for next week if the Cowboys qualify for the postseason.
It’s unknown if Hamilton is on the list because of a positive test or if he was deemed to have had a close contact to someone else.
Donovan Wilson missed practice this week with an illness. Thompson was the third safety.
The Cowboys used cornerback Jourdan Lewis for a few plays at safety in last week’s 37-17 victory against the Eagles.
The Giants are dealing with a similar issue. The team announced on Friday that offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has tested positive for COVID-19. He was immediately isolated, as were two potential close contacts.
The Cowboys have actually been one of the league’s success stories in regards to COVID-19.
Before this week, they have had just three active players reach the league’s Reserve/COVID-19 list this season, quarterback Andy Dalton, cornerback Chido Awuzie and defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford. Practice squad defensive tackle Walter Palmore was also placed on the COVID-19 list in early December.
Dalton and Awuzie missed one game. Crawford missed none. Running back Ezekiel Elliott had also tested positive, but that was over the summer, before the season had gotten underway.
And cornerback Saivion Smith and practice squad receiver Jon’Vea Johnson tested positive at the start of training camp.
“I can’t say enough about our players, just the way they have gone about their jobs every day,” McCarthy said when asked about the low COVID-19 numbers earlier in the week. “The testing that goes on, our guys have done a good job with that. I just think just the whole combination of the commitment from the organization, players and staff commitment and diligence has definitely kept our numbers very, very low.”
“And we clearly understand too our toughest days are probably in front of us.”
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (ankle) and guard Zack Martin (knee) are not expected to play against the Giants.
This story was originally published January 1, 2021 at 12:18 PM.
