Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy hopes to return from COVID-19 absence 'sooner than later'

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was one of several individuals associated with the franchise to test positive for COVID-19 amid a worrisome virus outbreak and, thus, was unable to attend Thursday's prime-time game at the New Orleans Saints that Dallas won 27-17 to improve to 8-4 on the season. 

The Cowboys don't play again until they're at the Washington Football Team on Dec. 12, but McCarthy is eligible to return to in-person work whenever he produces a pair of negative COVID-19 test results at least 24 hours apart. 

"I'm hopeful to be in there sooner than later," McCarthy told the Cowboys' website about being back at The Star. 

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn handled head-coaching duties on Thursday night as McCarthy remained isolated in a hotel room. 

"I thought the staff did an incredible job under the leadership of Dan Quinn and (assistant head coach) Rob Davis," McCarthy added in his comments. "I thought the staff did a great job, and the players, because it's all about the communication and the urgency of keeping your pace of operation intact. Because that's the way we train, and that's the way you want to ultimately play when you get to the game. I thought the dots definitely connected. Just very impressed and very thankful for the job the staff did."

Dallas sits atop the NFC East standings and holds three-game leads in the win column over both Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles.