COVID-19 strikes Dallas Cowboys as coach, player unavailable vs. Houston Texans
The Dallas Cowboys are still 19 days from the regular season, but the COVID-19 pandemic is already affecting their roster.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins did not participate in Saturday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium because of NFL COVID protocols.
“Both men left the stadium earlier today out of an abundance of caution under the guidelines of the NFL’s Covid related protocols,” the Cowboys said in a release.
Although the exact details of Quinn’s and Watkins’ situations have yet to be released, it’s likely they both tested positive for the coronavirus.
It’s the first time any Cowboys personnel have missed time for COVID-related issues in 2021.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Quinn and Watkins were told about 90 minutes before the 7 p.m. kickoff.
“They are still in that protocol,” McCarthy said after the game. “There are a number of steps to that protocol and we will move forward. It’s a process. We are beginning the process. We will know more [Sunday] morning. I will trust the protocol. I don’t think [Quinn] is overly concerned about it. We’re trying to be smart about it.”
Quinn and Watkins will be reevaluated by the Cowboys medical staff on Sunday, the Cowboys said.
Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. called the defensive plays Saturday in Quinn’s absence. The Cowboys led the Texans 14-7 at halftime.
The Cowboys player roster is 93% vaccinated, and 100% of the team’s staff is fully vaccinated.
If Quinn is asymptomatic and tests negative he’s likely to miss at least 10 days, according to NFL protocols, which would include the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 29.
This story was originally published August 21, 2021 at 7:42 PM.
