As NFL deals with COVID outbreaks, Dallas Cowboys have never been healthier
While many NFL teams are dealing with unprecedented COVID-19 outbreaks, the Dallas Cowboys have never been healthier.
It wasn’t too long ago that the Cowboys were dealing with a rash of coronavirus cases, including receiver Amari Cooper missing multiple games and head coach Mike McCarthy missing a game. In fact, the Cowboys at one point led the league in missed games because of COVID.
But Friday morning the Cowboys’ COVID news was good. Receiver Cedrick Wilson tested negative for the second time and is likely to be available when the Cowboys play the New York Giants at noon Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. As of Friday afternoon, the Cowboys had no players or staff on the COVID list.
Wilson was able to practice Friday for the first time this week.
More than 100 players around the league will miss games this weekend after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. In fact, the NFL spent much of Friday scrambling to re-schedule a couple of its Week 15 games. Washington, who the Cowboys beat last week 27-20, has 20 players on the list, including both quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Washington was forced to sign Garrett Gilbert, who might start against the Eagles in Philadelphia, a game that on Friday was moved from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday night. (Gilbert made his lone career start for the then 2-6 Cowboys last season when they almost bumped off the 7-0 Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19, at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 8.)
The Cowboys will resume higher level COVID-19 protocols, including virtual-only meetings throughout the weekend and on Monday, McCarthy said.
“It’s a moving target,” McCarthy said of the updated league requirements. “Last year’s experience is extremely helpful. Frankly, we felt we didn’t do a good enough job [a year ago]. We’re much better prepared to do virtual, clearly.”
No visitors will be allowed at the Cowboys hotel Saturday ahead of the Giants game and McCarthy said a team meeting at the hotel is unlikely.
Both defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and running back Tony Pollard, who were limited for Thursday’s practice with foot injuries, are both expected to be available Sunday against the Giants.
Left tackle Tyron Smith will be unavailable Sunday because of a lingering neck injury.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said during his radio show on KRLD/105.3 FM “The Fan” that he expects the league to further alter its COVID-19 protocols, with stricter social distancing rules but less restrictive guidelines for vaccinated players who are asymptomatic.
“I think we will get to a point probably this week that we’ll only test if symptomatic, that’s if you’ve been vaccinated,” Jones said. “That’s a good thing. Test when you’re symptomatic and that’s it.”
This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 11:55 AM.
