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

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy will undergo surgery Wednesday, five days before the biggest game of the regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles, after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis, the team announced. 'team.

McCarthy experienced abdominal pain Wednesday morning before seeing the team's medical staff. He is expected to be released from the hospital later Wednesday and plans to practice Sunday.

“Do you really think that tough Irishman is going to miss this match?” » Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Wednesday. “We certainly expect Mike to be back for the game. We'll hold him back for practice. Knowing him, he'll be in line tonight wanting to get through the red zone and third down and everything else. We'll Let's expect him to be great on game day.”

Quinn and fellow coordinators Brian Schottenheimer and John Fassel will run practice while McCarthy, who turned 60 last month, recovers. His absence complicates the process since he is the offensive playmaker, but he assigns duties to Schottenheimer and the other offensive coaches.

The Cowboys are first in points per game (32.3) and fifth in yards per game (380.4) with McCarthy calling the plays. He has a career regular season record of 164-100-2 and is the fifth winningest active coach.

In 2021, McCarthy missed a game in New Orleans after testing positive for COVID, and Quinn took over head coaching duties.

“The nice thing about Mike and the system here is that everything is defined on how we do things and what we would do yesterday, today, throughout the game, meetings and schedules,” Quinn said. “So easy in this one. Just take it and run with it. Between me, Brian and Bones we have everything covered and we are ready to go today, expect a great workout just like it was set up to do. We are ready to do it.

Players were informed of why McCarthy was absent before the morning walk-through, after he failed to attend the team meeting to start the day. Quinn said he arrived at the Star at the same time as McCarthy and was told by the head coach that he wasn't feeling well.

“As hard as it is, you're like, 'I'm going to fight,' and then you're like, 'This isn't right,'” Quinn said. “I'm glad he went, got himself in order. Good news for him, he's healing quickly.”

McCarthy's absence did not impact the way the players trained.

“Absolutely not,” defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said. “I feel like Mike built a great structure here so we could continue to maintain the pieces and keep going. I feel like it was no stress, no struggle for the day. J I feel like we did a great job adjusting and making sure we were on time and locked in. We understand what comes with this weekend. A great rivalry match. We know the Eagles are coming to town. We're locked in, ready to have fun. “

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said the players now want to win even more for McCarthy.

“Of course, because I know he wants to be here. I know he wouldn't want to miss — especially this week — the practices, the meetings,” Gilmore said. “I know he will come back as quickly as possible, but I also hope he heals quickly.”