The Dallas Cowboys lost another quarterback and another game.
Andy Dalton exited in the third quarter of Sunday's 25-3 loss to Washington after taking a shot to the head. He was subsequently ruled out and is in the league's concussion protocol. Linebacker Jon Bostic was ejected for the hit.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy took exception to the play, seemingly more so because none of his players confronted Bostic for the questionable blow.
"We speak all the time about playing for one another, protecting one another," McCarthy told reporters afterward, per The Athletic. "It definitely was not the response you would expect."
The Cowboys didn't respond on the field either. Rookie QB Ben DiNucci faced a 22-3 deficit upon making his NFL debut. The 2020 seventh-round pick completed his first pass for a 32-yard gain to Amari Cooper but a pair of sacks forced another Cowboys punt. Dallas then punted on its final two possessions while amassing minus-2 yards of offense. DiNucci finished 2 of 3 for 39 yards and was sacked three times total.
Dalton, making his second start in relief of the injured Dak Prescott, had completed just 9 of 19 passes for 75 yards and an interception while taking three sacks in the division duel. The Cowboys offense has now produced all of 13 points the past two weeks. With the veteran in the league's protocol, DiNucci could potentially make his first career start in Week 8 against the Eagles.
The Cowboys (2-5) and Washington Football Team (2-5) are now tied in the wide open NFC East.
"We need to be much better," McCarthy said. "And we're running out of time."
