FRISCO — The Cowboys were at full strength Wednesday.
That goes for players and coaches alike.
Every player on the 53-man roster was a full participant in the team’s first practice following its bye week. Notably, running backs coach and run game coordinator Jeff Blasko also returned to the field. He missed the first six games because of a personal health matter.
Working outdoors without pads, the Cowboys were nine days removed from a 20-17 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Dallas listed 15 listed on that week’s injury report. On Wednesday, the number was reduced to one. The exception, Juanyeh Thomas (hamstring), is fully expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Players on injured reserve are excluded the report. So, the likes of cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee), linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) and cornerback C.J. Goodwin (pectoral) were omitted. Diggs is out for the season; he underwent surgery Tuesday on a left ACL tear. Vander Esch and Goodwin hope to return this year.
Blasko is back following his time away from the team. The specifics surrounding his departure were not disclosed publicly, but Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy credited his staff for adapting in the interim.
Offensive assistant Evan Harrington saw the greatest jump in responsibility, leading the backs on a day-to-day basis. McCarthy said Harrington “did a really nice job.”
“[Offensive coordinator] Brian Schottenheimer was really the lead of moving the job responsibility around,” McCarthy said. “We had a number of our younger coaches really step up. Chase Haslett, Ryan Feder — all the way through, L Dubb (tight ends coach Lunda Wells). Everyone kind of picked up for that. We spread the responsibility around.”
Blasko officially returned last week during the bye, McCarthy added.
Wednesday’s practice was his first in several weeks.
“It’s good having him back in the room, especially …the way he coaches up everything in the run game to help get everything on the same page,” running back Tony Pollard said. “I’m glad to have him back.”
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