The Dallas Cowboys could have one significant absence ahead of Sunday’s key matchup.
HC Mike McCarthy landed in the hospital with acute appendicitis.
The team announced that the veteran coach experienced some serious abdominal pain Wednesday morning, so he underwent further evaluation and surgery in the afternoon.
However, the process went without any setbacks, and he’s still anticipating to be on the sidelines when they host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
With that in mind, Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer stated that he’s been in touch with McCarthy throughout the whole process, adding that they fully expect to have him on the field and that they will continue to have virtual meetings in the meantime (via Jon Machota).
Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer said he has been in contact with Mike McCarthy the last two days. They will have virtual meetings later today. The plan is for McCarthy to be on the sideline Sunday night.
“We’re full steam ahead.”
Schottenheimer when asked if he talked football… pic.twitter.com/D9FL1xSs6w
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 7, 2023
DC Dan Quinn, special teams chief John Fassell, and Schottenheimer conducted Wednesday’s practice, and it’s unclear who would be in charge of decision-making if McCarthy were to miss the game, but one could only assume it would be a bit of a committee.
McCarthy is in his third year with the team, and this has been the most successful thus far.
He reportedly entered the season on the hot seat, but he’s now got a prime opportunity to get control of the NFC East and perhaps even the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the NFC with a victory vs. their lifelong rivals.
Of course, his health should be the first and foremost priority for him, his players, and the team, but it’s hard not to be obsessed with Sunday’s matchup if you’re McCarthy, so it’s hard to envision him missing that game.
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