Jones’ radio show filled with curses
NFL
Jerry Jones tried ripping the coaching staff of the Cowboys after the first loss in the current three-game skid, then took the gentle approach following the second.
The team’s owner and general manager looked mad at the world on an embarrassing night in Chicago and didn’t seem to care the Cowboys were still in first place in the NFC East after a 31-24 loss to the Bears that wasn’t nearly that close.
“Until we can win a football game, I don’t care what kind of contention we’re in,” Jones said Thursday. “We’ve got to start playing and winning a football game so that we can play better than we played tonight.”
The anger was still evident a day later when Jones didn’t like the way his radio show started Friday and cursed several times. He appeared to hang up after one of the expletives, but it was explained that the system cut off the call because of the language. Jones was reconnected, and the mood wasn’t much lighter for the rest of the show.
“Now, go on with your question, but I’m going to give you the answer I’m going to give you this morning,” Jones said early in the call. “I don’t like your attitude. I’ve been traveling all night and I don’t have the patience to jack with you today.”
The Cowboys (6-7) have never made the playoffs in a season with two losing streaks of at least three games. The first skid came after a 3-0 start. Despite seven losses in 10 games, the Cowboys will be no worse than tied with the Eagles for the NFC East lead with three games left.
Just as he did after a Thanksgiving loss to the Bills, Jones said he wasn’t going to fire coach Jason Garrett before the end of the season.
LBs out for Saints: The Saints have ruled out starting linebackers A.J Klein (knee) and Kiko Alonso (thigh) for Sunday’s matchup vs. the 49ers. Both were injured in a win over the Falcons on Thanksgiving night.
The 49ers’ rushing offense is ranked No. 2 in the NFL, averaging 148 yards a game on the ground. With both teams sitting at 10-2, Sunday’s game could decide the top seed of the NFC and home-field advantage.
Jones misses another practice: Giants QB Daniel Jones missed his third straight practice because of a sprained right ankle, making it likely Eli Manning will return as the starter on Monday night against the Eagles.
Jones was hurt Sunday in a loss to the Packers. The sixth overall pick in last spring’s draft finished the game but his injury prevented him from working out this week.
Manning, 38, has taken the majority of snaps in practice with Alex Tanney getting the leftovers. Jones has worn a boot on his ankle most of the week.
Manning started the opening two games of the regular season — losses to Cowboys and Bills.
Coach Pat Shurmur replaced the two-time Super Bowl MVP with Jones, who then led the Giants to two straight wins. The Giants have lost eight in a row.
Chief concern: The running game for the Chiefs is in a bit of trouble heading into Sunday’s game against the Patriots, as they will be without two of their top three running backs.
The Chiefs ruled Damien Williams out because of a rib injury after placing Darrel Williams on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury earlier this week.
The injuries leave LeSean McCoy, rookie Darwin Thompson and Spencer Ware available. McCoy, 31, is the leading rusher for the Chiefs, while Thompson, 23, got his first dose of extended playing time last week and Ware, 28, signed this week.
Extra points: The Colts will be without K Adam Vinatieri and Pro Bowl WR T.Y. Hilton on Sunday against the Buccaneers. Vinatieri, 46, and the NFL’s career scoring leader didn’t work out Thursday or Friday because of a left knee injury. Hilton, 30, will miss his fifth game in six weeks with a calf injury . ... The Jets are expected to be without Jamal Adams (ankle) and Brian Poole (concussion) in their secondary Sunday against the Dolphins. Adams, 24, and Poole, 27 were injured in last Sunday’s loss to the Bengals.