Cowboys’ defense loses McCoy for the season
Arrowhead Stadium will have fans — 16,700 or so
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will miss the entire 2020 season after he ruptured his right quad tendon in practice Monday morning, executive vice president Stephen Jones said.
McCoy fell awkwardly during an individual period at the Ford Center during the club’s first padded practice of training camp. It also was the team’s first indoor practice after two sessions on the outside fields at The Star. He worked against nose tackle Antwaun Woods in a routine drill before falling.
Jones said that, while he hasn’t seen the play, his understanding is Woods incidentally stepped on McCoy as part of the injury’s mechanism. McCoy grabbed his right knee area and was briefly evaluated before standing. He was unable to put pressure on the leg, needing assistance to walk off the field.
McCoy, 32, signed a three-year, $18.3 million contract in March. His arrival was an important addition to the Cowboys’ revamped front after defensive tackle Maliek Collins departed in free agency, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. Aldon Smith and Everson Griffen were later added to mitigate the loss of defensive end Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears.
After McCoy was helped off the field, coach Mike McCarthy walked over and checked on him.
Less than an hour before practice, the Cowboys coach had spoken glowingly about McCoy in a conference call with reporters.
“He’s a perennial Pro Bowler, and he looks great,” McCarthy said. “Can’t say enough about the shape he’s in and just the energy that he brings to our defensive front. I’ve had an opportunity to be with Gerald on probably too many Pro Bowls because when you coach multiple Pro Bowls, you’re obviously there too much. … He’s a great fit for us. We look for him to be a force inside.”
Jones said that McCoy will undergo surgery “sooner rather than later.” He also dismissed the scenario McCoy could be activated midseason from injured reserve.
In a brutal early blow for the Cowboys, he is done for the year. FANS IN KANSAS CITY: When the Chiefs begin their Super Bowl defense next month, there will be fans in the Arrowhead Stadium stands.
Kansas City announced plans for a reduced capacity of 22% when they kick off the season Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans. With a seating capacity of approximately 76,000, the reduction would equate to about 16,700 fans.
TUA DEBUT: The Miami Dolphins practiced in pads for the first time Monday, and there are plenty of newcomers on the roster, including 10 high-profile free agents signed for $235 million and a large, promising rookie class led by top pick Tua Tagovailoa.
The former Alabama quarterback, coming back from a hip injury that ended his college career in November, took full part in practice and appeared 100% in more ways than one. Twitter tabulations had him completing both his passes in team drills, and handing off a lot.
BRYANT, BALTIMORE: The Ravens will bring in free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant this week for a workout, according to multiple reports.
Bryant, 31, hasn’t played in an NFL game since the end of the 2017 season. The threetime Pro Bowl selection signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in the middle of the 2018 season but suffered a torn Achilles tendon days after joining the team.
MNF: ESPN’s new “Monday Night Football” team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick will debut on Sept. 14 when they call the late game between the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the early game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. Fowler will already be in New York for the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
49ERS: San Francisco receiver Jalen Hurd went down with a knee injury that likely will sideline him for the season.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that he believes the injury Hurd suffered the previous day in practice is a torn ACL.
Hurd missed all his rookie season with a back injury but was being counted on to contribute this season before being dealt another setback.
BROWNS: Running back Nick Chubb may have suffered a concussion when linebacker Mack Wilson tackled the Pro Bowl running back around the neck and head during an 11-on-11 scrimmage on the first day new Cleveland was in pads. Chubb rushed for 1,494 yards last season.
A team spokesman said Chubb is being examined for a possible head injury. The Browns were not supposed to be tackling ball carriers to the ground.