Cowboys’ McCarthy sidelined for rookie camp by back procedure
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Todd Archer, ESPN staff writer
FRISCO, Texas — Mike McCarthy’s personal introduction to the Dallas Cowboys rookie class has had to wait due to back surgery performed last week.
McCarthy attended meetings virtually as the Cowboys opened rookie camp on Thursday. The only part of the minicamp on the field took place on Saturday and lasted just over an hour. Owner and CEO Jerry Jones spoke briefly with the players before practice.
Special teams coordinator John Fassel brought the players together at the end of the session.
“It’s just because Mike is always so clear and he’s like, ‘Hey, we’re going to do that,’ so we had a real idea of what we were trying to accomplish with these guys this weekend,” said defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. “It’s mostly about taking those first steps and I think Mike would agree that we don’t miss a step of their development and see what we have and how we communicate, test them and see where we’re at. And then we start with Mike and.” Everyone else is here this week to bring everyone together. So if there was a time he should miss, there’s never a time he would be comfortable, but we all know we’ve got his back and we’ll get him back soon.”
The rookies and veterans will work together for the first time in Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday. Organized team activities will start in two weeks.
McCarthy’s return, who has been struggling with back problems for some time, is unclear but a long absence is not expected.
“He was with us on Zoom calls,” third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown said. “We know what he’s going through and that he’ll be back soon.” He was certainly there and greeted us like we were a vet.”
Quinn served as the Cowboys’ head coach in 2020, defeating the New Orleans Saints when McCarthy missed the game after testing positive for COVID-19.
