The Dallas Cowboys have had plenty of COVID issues on their roster and even coaching staff at times throughout 2021. Now they’ll have to play a game without Head Coach Mike McCarthy on the sideline as he’s tested positive and will miss Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
News of McCarthy’s status broke earlier today and it remains unclear how exactly the team will navigate things. Several assistant coaches were already in the COVID protocol and there’s concern that this outbreak could effect others before we get to Thursday night.
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Based on pure experience, Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn makes the most sense after his six-year run as the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. But the Cowboys may want to preserve stability where they can by keeping Quinn and Kellen Moore in their coordinator roles and using John Fassel or assistant Rob Davis in the big seat.
Thankfully, the fallout from this should be short-lived. Dallas gets a 10-day break between Thursday night in New Orleans and their Week 14 game against the Washington Football Team. McCarthy and other coaches currently in the protocol should be back by then.
We’ll soon see what impact Mike McCarthy’s absence has against the Saints.