FRISCO, Texas (AP) – Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy missed practice Wednesday to undergo appendix surgery and is expected to miss the team’s highly anticipated rematch with Philadelphia.
McCarthy was hospitalized Wednesday morning after experiencing abdominal pain, the team said. He was diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery, and is expected to be discharged from the hospital on the same day.
In the NFC East, the Cowboys (9-3) trail the defending NFC champion Eagles (10-2) by one game.
Dallas heads into Sunday night’s game on a 14-game winning streak at home and needs a win to maintain any realistic hopes of taking the division title from Philadelphia. The Eagles won the first matchup in Philadelphia, 28-23.
Former Atlanta head coach and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn told reporters Wednesday during McCarthy’s regularly scheduled press conference. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was expected to take on those duties Thursday.
McCarthy, who turned 60 last month, is in his fourth year as the Cowboys’ coach, but his first as a play-caller. Quinn did not want to discuss play-calling contingency plans because he expected McCarthy to be available for the game.
“Do you really think that big Irishman is going to miss this game?” Quinn said with a smile. “We’ll keep it down in practice. Knowing him, he’s going to want to go online tonight and get through the red zone and third downs and everything. We’re hoping he’ll be excited by game day.” I look forward to what you are doing.”
Mr. Quinn said Mr. McCarthy was not well when he saw him early Wednesday morning. He said it didn’t take long for him to realize that McCarthy had more than just a stomach problem.
“Thankfully, he worked on it right away and was back here strong and strong right away,” Quinn said.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Quinn said the 2020-2021 COVID-19 protocols have made it easier for the team to get through the day’s work without major disruptions.
“Coach down, player down, what happens?” Quinn said. “He’s done a great job of mapping, not just him but me and anyone else who’s been in the same place and can say, ‘This is the next step, this is the path we need to take.’ . We are very organized and ready for it.”
Schottenheimer called plays for the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Seattle before joining McCarthy’s staff as a consultant last season. He won his current title because Kellen Moore did not return.
Notes: TE Peyton Hendershot (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. He missed nine games. TE Sean McKeon was placed on IR with his ankle injury.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
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