After the Cowboys’ September 26 win against the New York Giants, wide receiver Brandin Cooks remained in New York to receive an injection for an ailing knee. He developed an infection that required a cleaning procedure and is now almost fully back into practice.

On October 13, the Cowboys lost to the Detroit Lions 47-9. It was the worst home loss since Jones bought the team in 1989. It also came on his 82nd birthday. Two days later, Jones appeared to threaten the jobs of the hosts on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas during one of his two weekly appearances.

Before the Cowboys played the 49ers, the second vehicle taking some of owner Jerry Jones’ family to the game was struck by a rising barricade as it entered Levi’s Stadium. Charlotte Jones and Jerry Jones Jr. were examined by the team’s medical staff before the game. Shy Anderson Jr., Jerry’s grandson and a Cowboys scout, was also in the vehicle.

About four hours later, the Cowboys lost to the 49ers 30-24. Cornerback Trevon Diggs came out of the locker room in full uniform to confront a television reporter about an in-game social media post questioning the cornerback’s efforts. A few days later, Diggs apologized.

For the next game, Ezekiel Elliott was declared inactive for disciplinary reasons against the Atlanta Falcons and did not make the trip. While some wondered if Elliott had played his last game for the Cowboys, he was welcomed back.

“We have rules. You run red lights. You do things like that. I can’t emphasize enough what an exemplary teammate Zeke is, and I want to be very clear about that,” Jerry Jones said after the game. “But in my eyes he is what a footballer is all about.”

During the Falcons game – a 27-21 loss – Dak Prescott suffered what turned out to be a season-ending injury: a partial avulsion of his right hamstring that required surgery to repair. This came two months after the Cowboys made Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history with a four-year extension that averaged $60 million per season and included $231 million guaranteed.

Then there was last week’s 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, in which the Cowboys became the first team in NFL history to trail by at least 20 points in five straight home games. With Cooper Rush replacing Prescott, Dallas passed for 49 net yards and turned the ball over five times.

It was certainly not the way McCarthy wanted to celebrate his 61st birthday.

It was the second straight home game that the Cowboys did not score a touchdown. If it weren’t for the blinding sun shining through the windows of AT&T Stadium, they might have had one. Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb lost a ball in the sun coming through the west end zone in the second quarter. A touchdown would have given the Cowboys a lead and perhaps changed the course of the game.

After the loss, Jones was incredulous when asked if curtains would ever be used at AT&T Stadium.

“Well, let’s just tear down the damn stadium and build a new one. Are you kidding me?’ Jones said.

When McCarthy addressed the media the next day, a local television photographer placed a mesh screen to block the sunlight streaming through the windows of The Star’s press conference room.

“Is that for the sun?” McCarthy asked, prompting a room full of laughter.

“I just couldn’t help it,” the coach grinned.

Seconds later, McCarthy was asked about linebacker Micah Parsons’ post-game comments that seemed to question the coach’s work ethic. He said he met with Parsons and that Parsons’ intention was to show sympathy for veteran teammate Zack Martin, a seven-time first-team All-Pro pick who has won three playoff games during his time with the Cowboys.

“Conversations bring resolution,” McCarthy said. “I think this is an example of that.”

Throughout their history, from coach Tom Landry to Jimmy Johnson to Bill Parcells, the Cowboys have had many moments where you think you’ve seen it all.

Last year, the Cowboys lost running backs coach Jeff Blasko for several weeks for personal reasons and saw defensive end Sam Williams charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon, leading to a three-game suspension this year. season.

They still went 12-5.

And when they tried to open the roof of AT&T Stadium just hours before Monday night’s game, a piece of metal fell onto the field. No one was hurt, but they are now playing with the roof closed.

Maybe the Cowboys aren’t 3-6 just because of all the moments where you think you’ve seen it all, but they haven’t helped.

“There’s certainly been a lot. Whether it’s more than part of the 40 years in North Dallas or the White House years, I’m not sure,” said Brad Sham, the play-by-play voice of the Cowboys for 46 seasons. ‘But losing has a lot to do with it.

“If they win, the Parsons podcast is a blip. Diggs doesn’t come after a reporter for a tweet. Jerry doesn’t chew out radio hosts or burn down the stadium. There will always be something, but a year like this magnifies everything .

“Even jury duty.”