Cowboys secondary coach to miss Denver trip due to “private health matter”
Many fans and reporters noticed that Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. has missed the last few practices in Oxnard. On Tuesday afternoon, the team released a statement saying that the secondary coach/defensive passing game coordinator was “addressing a private health matter.” Whitt Jr. will not make the trip to Denver with the team this week.
Although he has been absent from practices, the second-year Cowboys coach has been participating in meetings virtually throughout the last week. According to Clarence Hill Jr., the coach is not expected to return to the team until the Cowboys arrive back in Dallas after their scrimmages and game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In his place, both defensive quality control assistant Canon Matthews and secondary coach Al Harris have been seen on the practice fields in Oxnard.
This vague announcement certainly sparked concern.
Statement from the #Cowboys on the absence of Joe Whitt — who is currently dealing with a personal matter: pic.twitter.com/aDOi06QHIC
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 9, 2022
Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. will be absent from the team for multiple weeks while dealing with a “private health matter”
Reporters were relieved to hear from Whitt Jr. himself who told the press that he was okay a few hours after the team announcement was made.
Hill Jr. reported that Whitt declined to reveal what the medical issue was, but deemed it “a freak accident that happened once he got out to training camp.” Certainly puzzling, but also nice to hear that he seems to be okay.
The one thing he did reveal about whatever is ailing him was that his reason for being absent from physical practices was that he needed to avoid contact or getting hit.
Joe Whitt Jr. met with reporters to address situation. Wants family to know: “I’m good.” Hasn’t been on field with Cowboys recently because, for medical reason, he cannot risk getting hit. Expects to rejoin team on field later this month. https://t.co/6QCwm3uSIz
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 9, 2022
The 44-year-old has served as a collegiate and pro coach for over 22 years. He held the same positions with the Falcons under Dan Quinn in 2020 and also spent 10 years with the Green Bay Packers, overlapping during Mike McCarthy’s tenure. Whitt Jr. is seen as an experienced, veteran coach and was interviewed for several defensive coordinator positions this offseason.
There are no further details at this time, but we wish the Cowboys coach a speedy recovery in whatever he is going through.
Next. 4 Observations from Week 2 of Training Camp. dark