Dalton to COVID list, ruled out for Week 9: report

[November 04, 2020]    Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton is going from one protocol to another. Dalton will be placed on reserve/COVID-19 this week, sidelining him for a second consecutive game, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Ben DiNucci is expected to get his second start this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dalton missed last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a concussion during the Cowboys' Oct. 25 loss against the Washington Football Team. Dallas is 2-6 and riding a three-game losing streak with the 7-0 Steelers coming in.

Dalton, 33, was expected to start against the Steelers, having reportedly cleared the concussion protocol.

The Dallas Morning News reports Dalton was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Dalton came in for the injured Dak Prescott in the Cowboys' Oct. 11 game against the New York Giants after Prescott went down with a gruesome, season-ending ankle injury. Dalton has played one full game in Prescott's absence, a 38-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 19.

Dalton is 52-for-85 passing for 452 yards with a touchdown against three interceptions this season. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection in his nine years as the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.

DiNucci finished 21-for-40 for 180 yards in the 23-9 loss to the Eagles, and was sacked four times.

--Field Level Media

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