Things go from bad to worse for Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton

The Dallas Cowboys won’t have Andy Dalton for a second straight game.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton has had a rough couple of weeks. After missing Sunday’s game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles because of a concussion suffered against Washington, Dalton will not miss this week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after being placed on the reserve/COVID list.

The news comes from ESPN’s Todd Archer which means Ben DiNucci will make a second straight start for Dallas. It’s unclear if Dalton tested positive or if he’s had close contact with someone who has.

Andy Dalton is out after being placed on the COVID list

The Cowboys already faced a tall task facing the vaunted Steelers defense even if Dalton cleared the concussion protocol but to face T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and this loaded defense with DiNucci in his second career start, it’ll be an uphill battle to emerge victoriously.

Dallas would be wise to feed Ezekiel Elliott 25-plus times and reduce the number of times DiNucci will be asked to drop back and pass, but if the offensive line can’t open holes for Elliott and he can’t pick up chunk yards, they’ll have no other option.

DiNucci completed 21-of-40 passes for 180 yards and zero touchdowns in Sunday’s loss to the NFC East-leading Eagles. He also lost two fumbles.

It’s unclear when Dalton will be able to be removed from the COVID-19 list and if he’s experiencing any symptoms, but the Cowboys have their bye week after the Steelers game so the next game isn’t until Nov. 22 against the Minnesota Vikings. With the extra week, he may have enough time to recover from both the concussion and the coronavirus as the Cowboys try to stay in the NFC East division race.