The Dallas Cowboys were shorthanded as they welcomed the Las Vegas Raiders to the The Star on Thanksgiving.
This will be the case again this week, when the NFC East leaders travel to New Orleans Saints.
The Cowboys will not have six coaches for Thursday’s New Orleans game due to COVID-19 issues, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Head coach Mike McCarthy, who was positive earlier in the week, is the most prominent of the missing coaches.
He’s not the only one who will be absent from the game. On Thursday night, Jeff Blasko, the assistant offensive line coach, strength and conditioning coaches Harold Nash and Joe Philbin, as well as Kendall Smith, assistant strength conditioning coach Kendall Smith, and Scott Tolzien, will not all be there.
These Cowboys coaches will not be at the game tomorrow due to COVID-19:
Mike McCarthy
Jeff Blasko
Harold Nash
Joe Philbin
Kendall Smith
Scott TolzienDan Quinn is filling in as head coach. TE coach Lunda Wells is handling the O-line. Ben McAdoo is filling in for Tolzien
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 1, 2021
The Cowboys have made the necessary adjustments to make up for the absences of the coaching staff. Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator, will temporarily take over as head coach. Lunda Wells, tight ends coach and former Giants head Coach Ben McAdoo (offensive line) will replace Tolzien.
Dallas has not had all the bad news regarding COVID-19 this week. After practicing on Wednesday, the organization hopes that Amari Cooper (Pro Bowl wide receiver) will return to the field on Thursday.
Just over 24 hours prior to kickoff, Cooper was officially listed by the Cowboys as questionable. According to reports, he traveled with the team from Texas to New Orleans and is expected play.
Kickoff for Saints Cowboys will take place at 8:20 p.m. ET on FOX, NFL Network.