FRISCO, Texas _ Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will miss the entire 2020 season after he ruptured his right quad tendon in practice Monday morning, executive vice president Stephen Jones said on Monday.
McCoy fell awkwardly during an individual period at the Ford Center during the club's first padded practice of training camp. It also was the team's first indoor practice after two sessions on the outside fields at The Star. He worked against nose tackle Antwaun Woods in a routine drill before falling.
Jones said that, while he hasn't seen the play, his understanding is Woods incidentally stepped on McCoy as part of the injury's mechanism. McCoy grabbed his right knee area and was briefly evaluated before standing. He was unable to put pressure on the leg, needing assistance to walk off the field.
McCoy, 32, signed a three-year, $18.3 million contract in March. His arrival was an important addition to the Cowboys' revamped front after defensive tackle Maliek Collins departed in free agency, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. Aldon Smith and Everson Griffen were later added to mitigate the loss of defensive end Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears.
"It's certainly disappointing," Jones said. "We're first and foremost disappointed for Gerald _ he was fired up about being here _ but also it's disappointing for us. We was one of our major acquisitions during the offseason in free agency. Having said that, this will give (2019 second-round pick) Trysten Hill and (2020 third-round pick Neville) Gallimore an opportunity to really step up now and come through for us."
Jones said that he anticipates the Cowboys to proceed with the linemen already on the roster. Tyrone Crawford is expected to factor prominently and may start beside nose tackle Dontari Poe in the base defense.
After McCoy was helped off the field, Mike McCarthy walked over and checked on him.
Less than an hour before practice, the Cowboys coach had spoken glowingly about McCoy in a conference call with reporters.
"He's a perennial Pro Bowler, and he looks great," McCarthy said. "Can't say enough about the shape he's in and just the energy that he brings to our defensive front. I've had an opportunity to be with Gerald on probably too many Pro Bowls because when you coach multiple Pro Bowls, you're obviously there too much. ... He's a great fit for us. We look for him to be a force inside."
Before the results of an MRI, initial indications from the team were McCoy may have suffered a torn ACL.
The quad tendon is located just above it.
Crawford spoke with reporters shortly after practice. He said that he was unsure the exact nature of McCoy's injury, but by this point, it was apparent McCoy likely was facing an extensive absence. Crawford has dealt with his own share of injuries. Most recently, he underwent surgery to both hips in 2019 and missed 12 games.
"It's never fun to see a fellow D-lineman go down," Crawford said. "Having a guy like that that you just get to know, just get to make part of the family, it's always sad to see. But obviously, I have a lot of faith in our training staff and also a lot of experience, as you guys know, and I know they'll get him back and get him back right and get him back on that field better than ever."
Jones said that McCoy will undergo surgery "sooner rather than later." He also dismissed the scenario McCoy could be activated midseason from injured reserve.
In a brutal early blow for the Cowboys, he is done for the year.
