Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy to undergo surgery, still expected on sideline for game against Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys have announced that head coach Mike McCarthy will have surgery on Wednesday to treat an acute case of appendicitis.

This week McCarthy started having stomach pains, which led him to see the Cowboys’ medical staff. Later on Wednesday, he is anticipated to be discharged from the hospital. On Sunday, Dallas will host the Philadelphia Eagles, their NFC East rivals. McCarthy is anticipated to serve as the game’s coach.

McCarthy will miss practice on Wednesday, though. McCarthy will be recovering from surgery, so assistant coaches Dan Quinn, Brian Schottenheimer, and John Fassel will be in charge of the practice.

This season, McCarthy assumed control of the offensive playcalling after the team fired offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Nevertheless, Schottenheimer and the other offensive coaches are integral parts of the game planning process.

The Cowboys are in the midst of an offensive surge, and quarterback Dak Prescott’s name has been linked to MVP conversations.

Dallas’ 32.2 points per game average currently leads the league.

McCarthy has coached in the NFL for almost two decades and is in the midst of his fourth season as the Cowboys’ head coach. He is the fifth-winningest active coach.

Quinn may wear the head coach’s hat for Sunday’s crucial game against the Eagles if McCarthy is unavailable. Quinn was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for more than five seasons, giving him prior head coaching experience.

Quinn also substituted for McCarthy towards the end of the 2021 season after McCarthy’s COVID-19 test came back positive.

With five weeks remaining in the season, the Cowboys and Eagles continue to battle for the top spot in the division and potentially the top seed in the NFC conference.