Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has tested positive for COVID-19, just days before the team faces the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football to open Week 13.
The Cowboys were already operating under the NFL’s COVID-19 enhanced protocols after a series of positive tests within the organization over the past two weeks. Dallas played without Amari Cooper on Thanksgiving due to the coronavirus and also operated without several members of the coaching staff.
Now, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini, McCarthy has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be available to coach Thursday’s game against the Saints.
“There are up to eight positives in Dallas. Details still rolling in.”
NFL league source on Dallas Cowboys’ COVID-19 outbreak, via Adam Schefter
The Cowboys placed offensive tackle Terrence Steele on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this weekend after he tested positive for the virus. Additionally, offensive line coach Joe Philbin and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kendall Smith will be unavailable for Thursday’s game. They are joined by several other members of the Cowboys’ coaching staff, who are all vaccinated, amid the breakthrough cases of COVID-19.
Assuming offensive coordinator Kellen Moore isn’t among those who test positive for the virus in the next few days, he could take over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach until McCarthy is cleared to return.