FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys are once again depleted due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Starting right tackle Terence Steele has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play on Thursday at New Orleans, head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Sunday.
Steele has been the starting tackle for Dallas the previous 10 games, including seven on the right side and three on the left in the absence of injured blindside tackle, Tyron Smith. Smith returned to the lineup in the team’s 36-33 loss in overtime to the Raiders and Steele started on the right in place of veteran La’el Collins.
With Steele in COVID protocols, Collins is the presumed starter at right tackle against the Saints. Following a six-game NFL suspension, Collins made three starts at right tackle while Steele transitioned to the left. The staff played a brief game of musical chairs against the Raiders, shuffling the offensive line on the second offensive series, bringing in Collins and Connor Williams to replace Steele and Connor McGovern.
In addition, several coaches were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list: Offensive line coach Joe Philbin, assistant offensive line coach Jeff Blasko, offensive coaching assistant Scott Tolzien and strength and conditioning coordinator Harold Nash Jr. With Nash’s placement in protocols, he becomes the third strength coach to join following assistants Kendall Smith and Cedric Smith.
With the absence of Philbin and Blasko, the Cowboys will look to tight end coach Lunda Wells, consultant Ben McAdoo and quality control coach Chase Haslett to assist the offensive line.
The new COVID-19 cases have changed the Cowboys’ schedule ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Saints on the road. Dallas will undergo a virtual setting on Sunday and Monday at the Star, except for a walkthrough Sunday afternoon and a practice on Monday. Players and coaches will be tested daily over the next few days in abidance with protocols.
