Strength coach hospitalized after collapse
FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys canceled practice Tuesday due to a medical emergency involving head strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul, who collapsed in his office at The Star in Frisco and was rushed to the hospital, according to sources.
His status is unknown at this time, but it was an emotional scene for the entire organization, especially the players with whom Paul had worked closely.
Family members indicated on social media that Paul is on life support at a local hospital and they are praying for a miracle.
A Frisco police spokesperson said that paramedics responded to The Star at 7:30 a.m. Paul was immediately tended to by Cowboys’ medical personnel and then transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
The team sent out an email shortly after saying that practice was canceled as well as the morning press conference with coach Mike McCarthy and all player media availabilities.
An official statement from the family, released by the Cowboys, said Paul in the process of undergoing further medical tests and additional information will be made available at the appropriate time.
“The organization extends its prayers and support to the Paul family, and asks for friends and followers of Markus, his family and the team to keep them in their thoughts and prayers,” the statement added.
Paul, 54, who has been a coach for 22 years, has been with the Cowboys since 2018. This was his first year as the team’s strength and conditioning coach. He was promoted to head the unit after Mike Woicik was not brought back when McCarthy took over as head coach in January.
Paul has five Super Bowl rings as an assistant strength coach, three with the New England Patriots and two with the New York Giants.
The Cowboys will have only one practice before facing the Washington Football Team at 3:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium.
An injury brings uncertainty at CB
It wouldn’t be 2020 if the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have an injury issue clouding a potential game plan in the days before a game.
So the uncertainty surrounding cornerback Anthony Brown’s availability for Thursday’s showdown against Washington is par for course.
Brown aggravated a rib injury in the 31-28 victory against the Minnesota Vikings and his status for Thanksgiving on a short week is unknown.
Rashard Robinson, who was elevated from the practice squad last Saturday, replaced Brown against the Vikings and could get the call against Thursday. Or it could be Saivon Smith.
“I know Anthony’s going to give it a shot. That’s the outlook,” Cowboys coach McCarthy said. “We’ll see how that goes.”
Brown spent three games on Reserve/Injured with a rib injury earlier this season.
The Cowboys got Chido Awuzie back against the Vikings after he had been out since Week 2 with a strained hamstring, and he was replacing Trevon Diggs who is out at least three games with a broken bone in his foot.
But don’t let Brown’s situation distract from the continued improvement of the formerly maligned defensive unit of the Cowboys.
Quarterback Andy Dalton garnered headlines following the Vikings game with his game-winning touchdown pass in his first action in three week, but it was defense that set the tone early for victory and made it hold up late.
Safety Donovan Wilson had two forced fumbles in the first half that led to a touchdown and a field goal. And the defense got stops on the Vikings final two drives to seal the victory, culminating with three straight incompletions from quarterback Kirk Cousins, who passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the game but came up empty when it mattered most.
“I just love the way they fly around,” McCarthy said of his defense. “We’ve really spent a lot of time on getting after the football. Donovan has been outstanding. He’s clearly been our most productive player this year on defense taking the ball away with his hits and his ability to always make plays on the football. You could see the rest of our defense, we’re improving there, and we need to continue to improve.”
Wilson said it was a matter of taking what they practice every day to the field.
“Every day at practice I’m punching, swinging, trying to get whatever ball I can out,” Wilson said. “I think that just carried over to the game. We were just trying to play complementary football. Get the ball to the offense and let them take advantage of a short field.”
Linebacker suspended for PED violation
Dallas Cowboys backup linebacker and special teams player Luke Gifford has been suspended two games without pay for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
While Gifford has played only one defensive snap this season, he has played 121 snaps on special teams with three tackles in the six games he has played for the Cowboys (3-7).
Gifford will miss games the next two Thursdays, the Thanksgiving Day game at home against Washington, and then a week later at Baltimore. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on Friday, Dec. 4, following the game against the Ravens.