Dallas Cowboys head coach tests positive for COVID-19

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy will miss his team’s upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints after testing positive for COVID-19, The Associated Press reported. 

McCarthy, who’s in his second season as Dallas’s head signal-caller, informed his players about his diagnosis during a virtual team meeting on Monday. 

McCarthy tested positive for the virus during a precautionary checkup at the team’s hotel a day after the team’s Thanksgiving contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to the AP. 

HC Mike McCarthy enters COVID protocol & will miss Thursday’s game against the Saints.#DallasCowboys

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 29, 2021

McCarthy, who is vaccinated against the virus, said he had a “scratchy” throat but mostly felt fine. 

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

Six other coaches and staff members as well as offensive lineman Terence Steele will also miss the Thursday night game due to positive tests, the AP reported. 

The Cowboys experienced small COVID-19 outbreaks during the preseason and earlier this season, with wide receiver Amari Cooper and place-kicker Greg Zuerlein recently missing time due to positive tests. 

Cowboys defensive coordinator and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn will handle head coaching responsibilities against the Saints, the AP reported.