Dalton Schultz’s COVID message proves Cowboys leaders have priorities straight
The Dallas Cowboys have a legitimate chance to make a run in the postseason. If they want to do so, they will need all hands on deck. Tight end Dalton Schultz understands that.
The Cowboys have struggled with major injuries this season, but they have also dealt with losing players to COVID-19 protocols. Throughout the NFL, a surge in COVID cases has led to many teams being without some of their best players in key matchups. Schultz doesn’t want the same to happen to his squad.
The tight end spoke to the press this week about what the locker room message was heading into New Year’s Eve weekend.
Schultz, who has emerged as a reliable target for Dak Prescott, put it very bluntly. “Don’t go out and do stupid s***.” He knows that winning the Super Bowl will take strong performances from everyone. That can’t happen if the Cowboys lose players to positive cases or anything else that might come out of a New Year’s Eve weekend.
Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz on the team’s locker room message on staying safe: “Make smart decisions. Don’t go out and do stupid shit. Don’t expose yourself to unnecessary risks, whether that being COVID or anything else that comes with New Year’s Eve.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 29, 2021
Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz urges teammates to “make smart decisions” in light of rising COVID cases and new NFL protocols
Schultz’s advice is smart. For anyone on the Cowboys team to risk not being present for game day is a risk that could affect the entire team, especially with a crucial game against a top NFC team in the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
With positive cases on the rise, the league has made some changes to its protocols. Now, vaccinated and asymptomatic personnel will not be required to test weekly. The NFL is also inputting what it calls “targeted testing.” This new type of testing means that different position groups will be chosen to get tested on a weekly basis.
Players can also participate in voluntary testing if they wish to do so.
Additionally, while asymptomatic players can return as quickly as five days after a positive test, symptomatic cases do not get the same relaxed treatment. Therefore, the Cowboys must still be vigilant.
The recent surge has left many top contenders throughout the league without their starters heading into the end of the season. Let’s hope the Cowboys take Schultz’s message to heart so that we can see a full, dominating roster heading into the postseason.
