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Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy held a press conference today to discuss the team’s upcoming game with the San Francisco 49ers. Let’s check in on what he had to say. (All answers are paraphrased and not actual quotes).
Homefield advantage
Asked if homefield advantage is a focus with two games in the building left so far this season, McCarthy noted that the focus is primarily on the San Francisco 49ers. He said that San Francisco won the NFC last year and acknowledged that winning at home is obviously ideal.
Injury updates
Trevon Diggs, Anthony Brown, and Donovan Wilson will all be limited participants in Wednesday’s practice, according to McCarthy.
Replacements in the secondary
McCarthy noted that ideally you like to see your young and inexperienced players have an opportunity to grow throughout September, October, and November. He talked about how usually this is the time of year when you are making a push towards the playoffs, but that he was happy to see these returns. He complimented the three young corners that played against the Bengals.
Game flexed out
Asked again about the Cowboys being flexed out of Sunday Night Football, McCarthy noted it is obviously a great thing to play on national television, but the focus is on the 49ers.
Chidobe Awuzie
McCarthy said that he is looking for Chido to practice on Wednesday.
Tyler Biadasz
Asked if he would like to see Biadasz start more throughout the stretch run of the season McCarthy noted that he will have more practice reps this week. He noted that last week was a short week and it was hard to get Biadasz the reps he normally would get just coming off IR.
Public votes of confidence from the Joneses
McCarthy said he is flattered but that his focus is on the 49ers.
San Francisco’s fullback usage
The 49ers use fullbacks more than most NFL teams. McCarthy noted that it is certainly a unique thing and that it is a lot like a tight end in terms of how San Francisco views the position.
Not signing a fullback after Jamize Olawle opted out
McCarthy said that the dynamics of how much a roster can change from one year to the next are part of the decisions when you are putting together a scheme outlook for the season. He noted that on offense he believes Kellen Moore has done a nice job of using the players that the team does have.
Ezekiel Elliott
McCarthy noted that he has Ezekiel Elliott as a limited participant on Wednesday. He said that they would watch him this week and keep him on a limited workload to see how he responds.
Trevon Diggs
Coach thought he was having an excellent rookie season, was extremely productive, and was establishing himself as the highlighted player in the secondary. He said he really has fought through injury and that his a joy to coach. McCarthy cited his ability to move on to the next play, that he can stay in coverage with challenging body types, and said he has ball skills; that when a ball goes up he believes it’s as much his as it is the receiver’s.