The Dallas Cowboys were without Zack Martin, Brandon Knight, and Noah Brown in Week 1 as well as Randy Gregory in Week 2 due to them being placed on the Reserve/COVID list. Unfortunately, they could be without another player in Week 3.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Linebacker Keanu Neal has been placed on the Reserve/COVID list, making his status uncertain for the Cowboy’s big NFC East showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.
Cowboys LB Keanu Neal is being placed on Reserve/COVID-19, source said. His status for Monday’s home opener vs. Eagles is now in question.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 22, 2021
Neal didn’t test positive for COVID but he is a high-risk contact, and being that isn’t fully vaccinated, he has to enter the protocol. He will need two negative tests separated by 24 hours to be taken off the list.
The former Florida Gator made the switch from playing the safety position, which he played under Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn for five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2016-2020), to linebacker with the Cowboys. So far in 2021, he’s played 74% of the team’s defensive snaps (101) and logged nine tackles (one tackle for loss).
Gregory will make his return against the Eagles but if Neal can’t go the Cowboys are built to handle his absence with Micah Parsons, Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and Jabril Cox on the roster.
