Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy has surgery, expects to coach vs. Eagles

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy underwent profitable surgical procedure Wednesday — 5 days earlier than the most important recreation of the common season towards the Philadelphia Eagles — after being identified with an acute case of appendicitis, the crew mentioned.

McCarthy skilled stomach ache Wednesday morning earlier than seeing the crew’s medical workers. He had the process, is predicted to be launched from the hospital later Wednesday and anticipates teaching Sunday.

“You actually assume that robust Irishman goes to overlook this recreation?” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn mentioned Wednesday. “We’re definitely anticipating Mike being again for the sport. We’ll maintain it down for practices. Figuring out him, he’ll be on-line tonight desirous to undergo pink zone and third down and all the things else. We anticipate him to be rocking by recreation day.”

Quinn and fellow coordinators Brian Schottenheimer and John Fassel will run apply whereas McCarthy, who turned 60 final month, recuperates. His absence complicates the method since he’s the offensive playcaller, however he does designate duties to Schottenheimer and the opposite offensive coaches.

The Cowboys are first in factors per recreation (32.3) and fifth in yards per recreation (380.4) with McCarthy calling performs. He has a 164-100-2 profession regular-season file and is the fifth-winningest energetic coach.

In 2021, McCarthy missed a recreation at New Orleans after testing constructive for COVID-19, and Quinn took over head-coaching duties.

“What’s good about Mike and the system right here is it is all laid out about how we go and what we might do from yesterday, in the present day, right through the sport and the conferences and schedules,” Quinn mentioned. “So fairly straightforward in that one. You simply take it and run with it. Between myself and Brian and Bones, we have got it coated and we’re able to go in the present day, anticipate an incredible apply similar to it has been set as much as do. We’re able to go try this.”

Gamers have been knowledgeable as to why McCarthy was absent earlier than the morning walkthrough after he was not on the morning crew assembly. Quinn mentioned he arrived at The Star similtaneously McCarthy and the top coach instructed him he wasn’t feeling properly.

“As robust as he’s, like, ‘I will combat by it,’ after which subsequent factor you recognize, you are like, ‘This isn’t good,'” Quinn mentioned. “Glad he went, bought squared away. Excellent news for him, he is a quick healer.”

McCarthy’s absence didn’t influence how gamers practiced.

“Completely not,” defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence mentioned. “I really feel like Mike has constructed an incredible construction round right here for us to proceed to maintain up the items and preserve going. I really feel prefer it was no stress, no wrestle to the day. I really feel like we did an incredible job of adjusting and ensuring we have been on time and locked in. We perceive what comes with this weekend. A giant rivalry recreation. We all know the Eagles are coming into city. We’re locked in, able to have enjoyable.”

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore mentioned the gamers need to win much more for McCarthy now.

“For positive, as a result of I do know he desires to be right here. I do know he would not need to miss — particularly this week — practices, assembly time,” Gilmore mentioned. “I do know he’ll get again as quick as he can but additionally hope he is therapeutic up fast.”