Dallas Cowboys QB Andy Dalton Still Struggling With the Effects of COVID-19
It’s been a rough go for Andy Dalton in his first year with the Dallas Cowboys. When starting quarterback Dak Prescott went down with a gruesome ankle injury that put him out for the season, Dalton stepped in. He led the team to a victory over the New York Giants, but it’s been downhill since. Dalton took a blow to the head in a loss to the Washington Football Team. He then was diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and had a rough time dealing with it.
Andy Dalton strong in first appearance with the Cowboys
In the third quarter of Week 5, Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott went down with what turned out to be a season-ending ankle injury. Andy Dalton, signed this offseason to a one-year deal worth $3 million, came in relief of Prescott. The reeling Cowboys had one win and Dalton helped get them back on track.
Dalton completed nine of 11 passes and threw for 111 yards. With his team trailing 34-31 with less than two minutes remaining, Dalton got the Cowboys in field-goal range to tie the game. After a quick three-and-out, Dalton went to work on the game-winning drive.
Starting from deep inside Cowboys territory, Dalton marched his team quickly downfield. With three seconds left, Dalton hit wide receiver Michael Gallup on a deep pass down the right sideline. That pass play set up Greg Zuerlein’s game-winning field goal as the Cowboys pulled out a 37-34 victory.
Dalton gets injured in Week 7
One week after Andy Dalton lifted the Dallas Cowboys to the comeback win over the New York Giants, he struggled mightily in prime time against the Arizona Cardinals. In a Week 6 Monday Night Football game, Dalton was intercepted twice and found themselves down 31-3 in the fourth quarter of a 38-10 loss.
The following week, the Cowboys dropped a 25-3 decision to the Washington Football Team. During that game, Dalton took a blow to the head linebacker Jon Bostic. The hit was ruled late and resulted in a penalty and ejection for Bostic. Dalton was helped off the field and suffered concussion-like symptoms.
The Cowboys have continued to struggle this season. Since Dalton led the team to the comeback victory over the Giants in Week 5, they have lost four straight games. They enter Week 11 with a 2-7 mark and Dalton is expected to make his return.
While injured, Dalton was hit with COVID-19
Andy Dalton was hit hard by both Washington linebacker Jon Bostic and by COVID-19. While he was nursing a concussion, Dalton and his family were diagnosed with COVID-19. Dalton, expected to start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, said he still feels the effects of the virus.
“It hit me hard the first day I had it,” Dalton said of the virus, according to USA Today. “I eventually lost smell and taste. Early on that’s not what I had. But by the end of it, I did lose my smell and taste and am still trying to get that back. You can tell things are sweet, and you can tell things are salty. You just don’t get the flavor with it.”
Dalton said it’s been a rough three weeks dealing with the concussion and the COVID-19, but there have been a couple of minor positives. One, he hasn’t taken any hits. Two, he’s eating healthier. “I can eat really healthy right now,” Dalton laughed, “and it doesn’t matter cause I can’t taste it.”
