Mike McCarthy addresses Connor McGovern injury, Cowboys early defensive play

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy believes his team will adjust after losing guard Connor McGovern on the first drive due to an ankle injury. Speaking with NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark early in the second quarter, McCarthy offered his thoughts on how the Cowboys can overcome the injury.

“We just got to keep playing,” he said. “Obviously, we’re young on the left side. But I think our guys will be fine.”

In addition to the injury to Connor McGovern, Mike McCarthy was also asked how he thinks the defense has played. Dallas has held the Buccaneers to just three field goals thus far, though Tampa Bay has outgained them 146-72 in the early going. With 3:20 remaining in the second quarter, the Buccaneers had a 9-3 lead.

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“They’ve hit us on a couple of play action passes,” McCarthy said. “The pace of the game is picking up. We’ve just got to stay after it.”

So far Dallas has sacked quarterback Tom Brady twice, with both coming from linebacker Micah Parsons. So far Brady has been limited to 7-of-9 passing for just 99 yards.

Connor McGovern exits first drive of season with injury

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line suffered a loss early in their season opener after guard Connor McGovern left the field with an injury. McGovern had his right ankle rolled over from behind as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender was blocked on top of him.

Connor McGovern took a shot to the back of his right ankle pic.twitter.com/RlwoiBQBVo

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 12, 2022

McGovern was unable to walk off the field under his own power, and the injury appeared to be a severe one as he was taken directly into the locker room without an examination on the bench. He was helped by a pair of Dallas staffers into the locker room, unable to walk under his own power.

The injury leaves Dallas with a significant lack of experience and depth on their offensive line on top of the loss of left tackle Tyron Smith. Replacing McGovern during the game was Matt Farniok.

Later during the quarter, the broadcast revealed that Dallas was calling the injury a right ankle injury and that McGovern’s return to the game was questionable.

On3’s Austin Brezina contributed to this report.