Playing with backups is the new normal for the Dallas Cowboys. In a season riddled with too many injuries to rattle off keep track of, whether or not Andy Dalton would be fit for action has been up in the air all week after taking a cheap shot from Jon Bostic of the Washington Football Team last week.
Dalton has yet to step onto the practice field in the leadup to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, so when head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about his status for Sunday night, he laid it out for reporters.
Mike McCarthy with the latest on Cowboys QB Andy Dalton (concussion). Right now, he is not expected to play Sunday.
“If Andy would practice tomorrow that would be his only chance of playing in the game. As of right now, he’s not scheduled to practice.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 30, 2020
In his stead will be Ben DiNucci, the 7th-round draft choice out of James Madison who entered midway through the third quarter for his first career action. He fumbled as many times as he completed passes in limited action. However, he did complete a nice pass to Amari Cooper for 32 yards, the biggest play of the game.
On Sunday night, he will have the benefit of guard Zack Martin returning to the fold, but otherwise his protection will be largely limited. In front of him is third-string tackle Cam Erving on his blind side as well as backups at the center and right tackle position. He will have the full complement of receivers at his disposal, so here’s hoping to him cutting it loose.
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