FRISCO, Texas — The hits just keep on coming. Two starters have been added to the Cowboys’ COVID-19 protocol.
On Wednesday morning at the Star, head coach Mike McCarthy announced that both free safety Damontae Kazee and left guard Connor Williams had been added to the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list, joining Malik Hooker, CeeDee Lamb, and Carlos Watkins.
Safety Israel Mukuamu was cleared from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and was back at practice on Wednesday. He was a close contact designation and did not contract the virus during the allotted time.
Due to the ramp in cases, the club has entered a “contract tracing mode” per McCarthy. As a result of the outbreak, the Cowboys have moved into a virtual meeting setting. The team has been brought back to the world’s disconcerting times and the realization of the virus’s prevalence, despite the vaccine. Dallas had come out with no primary COVID concerns in Oxnard, but once defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and defensive tackle Carlos Watkins were sent home early from Saturday’s preseason game against Houston, the domino effect began.
The most glaring problem- the Cowboys’ thinning secondary. In addition to Hooker and Kazee on the COVID list, starting cornerback Trevon Diggs is out with an illness (non- COVID related) and starting strong safety Donovan Wilson exited practice on Tuesday, dealing with a groin injury. Jayron Kearse and Darian Thompson have received first-team reps and Steven Parker and Tyler Coyle will provide depth. Mukuamu will add much needed reinforcement.
