Cowboys coach McCarthy goes on the COVID-19 list

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy checked into the team hotel the day after the Thanksgiving game as a precaution with COVID-19 infections spreading on his staff.

McCarthy ended up testing positive anyway, and isn’t the only one in his family dealing with the virus.

The second-year Dallas coach is out for Thursday night’s game in New Orleans, and will be among six coaches and staff members not making the trip because of positive tests. Right tackle Terence Steele also is out against the Saints after testing positive.

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, in his first year with the Cowboys after getting fired during his sixth season as coach in Atlanta last year, will handle head coaching responsibilities in New Orleans. Quinn will move from the press box to the sideline.

McCarthy, who is vaccinated along with the entire staff, said he had a “scratchy” throat but mostly felt fine. He told players about the positive test during a virtual meeting Monday morning.

“Just stressed again, no different than I normally do, just stressed it from a personal perspective that this is real,” said McCarthy, who said family members had tested positive as well. “I’d like to think that I was super cautious. I just think it shows you the danger of the pandemic and the virus.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed star outside linebacker T.J. Watt on the COVID-19 list on Monday.

Watt is the third highprofile member of the Steelers to go on the COVID-19 list in recent weeks. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick went into the COVID-19 protocol earlier this month.

Cowboys’ Hill draws two-game suspension

The NFL suspended Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill for two games Monday for confronting Las Vegas offensive lineman John Simpson and throwing a punch after the Raiders’ 3633 overtime win on Thanksgiving.

Hill, who was sidelined the first eight games of the season while recovering from a torn knee ligament last year, will miss Thursday night’s game at New Orleans and the Dec. 12 game at Washington. He can return Dec. 19 at the New York Giants, the last of three consecutive road games.

Lions’ Swift has banged-up shoulder

The winless Detroit Lions may be without their best player against the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit coach Dan Campbell said Monday that running back D’ Andre Swift’ s injured shoulder is still sore, adding it’s hard to envision him playing on Sunday.

Out for the season

Carolina Panthers ofteninjured Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, the team announced Monday. McCaffrey had an MRI that revealed the injury was severe enough to put him on injured reserve. Because of his anticipated recovery time and given that it would be his second time on IR, the news means McCaffrey will miss out on Carolina’s final five regular-season games following its bye week . ... Browns right tackle Jack Conklin will undergo surgery after suffering a season-ending right knee injury on Sunday night at Baltimore. Conklin ruptured his patellar tendon while pass blocking.