Dallas Cowboys QB Andy Dalton says COVID-19 ‘hit me hard’



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FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton can’t quite remember everything about the game that knocked him out for a week with a concussion, but he remembers everything to do with it coronavirus which forced him to miss a game in the reserve / COVID-19 List.

“COVID, it hit me hard the first day I got it, and then it gradually started to get better,” said Dalton, who said he’s still trying to get his smell and taste back then he was preparing to make his debut Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. “In the end, I was ready to come out of quarantine and come back here.”

When Dalton returned to The Star last week during the Cowboys’ leave, he had to finish following concussion protocols. Because he was in quarantine, he couldn’t finish them.

“It’s been three crazy weeks for me, but I’m happy to be on the other side,” said Dalton. “I’m happy to be back with everyone and during these three weeks.”

Dalton said he thought he had overcome the symptoms of the concussion when he was diagnosed with COVID-19, which caused a different type of headache. Dalton is not sure how he contracted the virus, but said his wife, JJ, and one of his sons have also tested positive. Two of her children did not.

“Everyone is fine now,” said Dalton. “So we are all healthy and getting back to normal.”

The concussion was the first of his career. He took a vicious hit to the helmet by Washington linebacker Jon Bostic in the third quarter of the 25-3 loss. Bostic was fined $ 12,000 but was not suspended.

Dalton said he remembers everything that came before the hit and was disappointed with Bostic’s penalty for the league.

“You know, with all of that, just looking at some of the fines and different things that other people have received, I was a little surprised at the number,” said Dalton. “But that’s what it is.”

Unable to train at the Star for more than a week and quarantined at his home away from his family, Dalton said he was able to work out in his home gym “to stay there”.

He said he has been feeling good during the week of practice so far.

“It was a little frustrating,” said Dalton. “You miss the only game because of the concussion, the first time you deal with it, then COVID. It’s like everyone has touched at once. I wish I could have been there. I wish I could have played in the two games I missed. “

Rookie Ben DiNucci started the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 1 and Garrett Gilbert made his career debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 8. The Cowboys are hoping Dalton’s return can spark an attack that has scored just two touchdowns in four starts without Dak Prescott.

“I thought he was decisive and he threw the ball really well,” said coach Mike McCarthy of Dalton’s work in practice on Wednesday. “That’s the most important thing because obviously the ball goes out on time and so on. I thought he was on the beat. Andy has excellent control over the whole operation. … Great to have him back. “

At 2-7, the Cowboys are in last place in the NFC East but still have a chance to compete in the division with Philadelphia in first despite going 3-5-1.

“Everything is in front of us,” said Dalton. “It’s the craziest thing about how this season has been. Some games that we think we had chances in. It doesn’t matter at this point. Now we have to move on. We have to think about the next seven. Games, and that’s all our goal is – what we have in front of us. “

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