Cowboys face playoff chase without Dak
ARLINGTON, TEXAS » Dak Prescott joined both his tackles and his tight end on the list of season- ending injuries for the Dallas offense when the star quarterback fractured his ankle in a gruesome scene against the New York Giants.
The emotional setback added to the challenge of trying to make the playoffs in coach Mike McCarthy’s first season, although the rally for a 37- 34 victory behind backup Andy Dalton vaulted the Cowboys ( 2- 3) to first place in the struggling NFC East.
“I know how much this means to him and how much being out there for this team means for him,” running back Ezekiel Elliott said of Prescott. “So, it’s hard. But all we can do right now is support him.
“We just gotta support ‘ 4’ and make sure he is good, and go out there and win ballgames for him.”
Prescott had surgery for a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle and the team said he was expected to be released from a hospital Monday. The two- time Pro Bowler’s lower leg got caught under New York defensive back Logan Ryan on a tackle at the end of a 9- yard run.
Left tackle Tyron Smith is out for the year with a neck issue after playing just two games, and right tackle La’el Collins never saw the field before needing season- ending hip surgery. Tight end Blake Jarwin tore a knee ligament in the opener.
The Dallas defense has been plagued by injuries as well, the latest being defensive tackle Trysten Hill’s season- ending knee injury against the Giants.
Falcons name Morris interim replacement for Quinn.
ATLANTA » The poor performance of Atlanta’s defense under the leadership of Raheem Morris won’t matter if Morris finds a way to win as the Falcons’ interim coach.
The more Morris wins, the better he’ll look to Falcons owner Arthur Blank as perhaps more than just a temporary replacement for the fired Dan Quinn.
Can Morris, elevated Monday to interim coach, be a candidate for the full- time job?
“Absolutely,” Blank said, adding with a smile, “if Raheem ends up 11- 0, he’ll certainly be a candidate.”
The Falcons fired Dan Quinn on Sunday night, hours after the team fell to 0- 5 for the first time since 1997 with a 23- 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Blank also fired longtime general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Jets’ Gase considering handing off play- calling duties.
NEW YORK » Adam Gase might be ready to call an audible on playcalling duties.
With the New York Jets off to an 0- 5 start for the first time since 1996 and struggling mightily on offense, the coach acknowledged Monday he is considering handing off calling plays so he can take a wider view of the team.
“I don’t think I’m ever opposed to trying something to change things up,” Gase said during a conference call.
Gase said he has called the offensive plays during every game he has been a head coach, including his three seasons in Miami, but acknowledged he has “toyed with the idea” at times.
While he wouldn’t commit to it, it sounded as though more input from offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and/ or RB coach Jim Bob Cooter is possible.