COWBOYS’ MCCARTHY: ‘WE’RE GOING TO WIN THIS GAME’
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy didn’t waste any time making his presence felt on his first day back with the team after a 10-day absence because of a positive COVID-19 test.
At the end of a long answer about the Dallas offense Thursday going into Sunday’s visit to Washington, McCarthy lit up social media by saying the Cowboys would win the game.
“We’re comfortable with who we are and where we are,” McCarthy said. “I’m excited about what’s in front of us. We’re going to win this game. I’m confident in that.”
As expected, Washington players were asked to respond after practice. Washington (6-6) is second to the NFC East-leading Cowboys (8-4), but seeking a third consecutive victory in the rivalry for the first time since the 1980s.
“The only guarantee in this world is death and taxes,” defensive lineman Jonathan Allen said.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was happy to hear such strong words from his coach, and used an expletive to say so.
“It doesn’t put us in a bad spot,” Prescott said. “I don’t think he said anything different than everyone in this building’s thoughts. He just voiced it. Now we got to make sure we’re accountable for our words.”
McCarthy tested positive between the Dallas loss to Las Vegas on Thanksgiving and a win at New Orleans a week later. The Saints game was the first time in 15 seasons as a head coach that McCarthy missed a game.
The Cowboys are emerging from their second COVID-19 outbreak since close to the end of training camp. The first wave eased a month into the season. The
second one is easing a month before the playoffs.
If rookie defensive back Nahshon Wright returns as expected today, the Cowboys won’t have anyone on the COVID-19 reserve list. Eight coaches and staff
members have missed games as well. McCarthy said he was eager and happy to be back, and therefore probably went on too long in his first meeting with his players Thursday.
The question that sparked his headline-grabbing line was about an offense that hasn’t looked much like the NFL’s No. 1 unit, where it’s been ranked most of the season, because of injuries and COVID-19 issues.
“Which are all great things over the course of a year,” he began. “You can’t just win one way in this league and it’s not practical to think you’re going to win with the same guys lining up the same 11 every week. It’s just not practical.
“But these guys are very accountable. The work ethic of our football team, the whole space, is very high. We know what people think of us. We love that.”
Notable
Police in Roswell, Ga, said former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was found dead in his home at age 33 late Thursday night.
Receiver Allen Robinson expects to return to the Bears’ lineup when they visit the Packers on Sunday night after missing the past three games because of a hamstring injury. Andy Dalton, who started Chicago’s past two games, injured his left (non-throwing) hand against Arizona. If he’s unavailable, Nick Foles would be the backup.
The Titans claimed ILB Zach Cunningham off waivers from the Texans, a move they hope will bolster their injury-riddled group.
Packers WR Randall Cobb has a core injury that will prevent him from playing Sunday and could keep him out for much longer.
49ers LB Fred Warner (Mission Hills High) is slated to return this week from a hamstring injury after missing a game for the first time in his career last week.