The Dallas Cowboys will be missing wide receiver Amari Cooper for at least two of their three games in a 12-day span, beginning Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.
Cooper tested positive for COVID-19 and is unvaccinated, according to ESPN, which requires a 10-day quarantine and will keep him out of the Thanksgiving game against his previous team, the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cooper should be cleared to play against the New Orleans Saints on December 2.
According to sources, the Cowboys have had no more coronavirus difficulties as a result of Cooper’s test. After practise on Saturday, the Cowboys will fly to Kansas City.
Cooper has 44 receptions for 583 yards and five touchdowns this season, which ranks second among Cowboys receivers.
After missing seven games due to a calf strain suffered in the season opener, the Cowboys welcomed back wide receiver Michael Gallup in last week’s triumph against the Atlanta Falcons. Gallup and CeeDee Lamb will be the Cowboys’ top two receivers, with Cedrick Wilson moving to the No. 3 spot, which he occupied while Gallup was out.
Linebacker Keanu Neal, who is also unvaccinated, missed two games earlier this season while on the reserve/COVID-19 list. After spending the previous week on the reserve list, kicker Greg Zuerlein will return to the roster this week.
Cooper’s loss is part of a possible offensive shift for the Cowboys this week.
Tyron Smith, the left tackle, might return after missing two games due to an ankle ailment. The Cowboys will wait to see how he reacts during practise on Saturday, as well as the short turnaround with the Raiders game five days later. In the event that Smith is unable to participate, Terence Steele will start at left tackle for the third consecutive game.
Owner Jerry Jones revealed on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that Connor McGovern will start at left guard in favour of Connor Williams. Coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t go quite that far in his press conference, but he did acknowledge that Williams’ league-leading 13 penalties are excessive.