Cowboys try out long snappers after Jake McQuaide’s season-ending injury
Just when we thought we were in the clear, the injury bug struck the Dallas Cowboys yet again. This time around, Cowboys reporter Nick Eastman revealed on Tuesday that veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide suffered a torn triceps injury. According to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com, the 34-year-old is being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
While long snapper isn’t a lauded or highly-appreciated position, it’s one of those ones where you don’t know how important having a reliable veteran in that place is until he is gone.
In a video from Michael Gehlken, it appears that the 12-year-veteran favored his left arm when tackling a Washington Commanders player on the final punt of the game on Sunday.
The Cowboys allegedly worked out four different long snappers on Tuesday.
Gehlken, a Dallas Morning News reporter, stated that the team plans to add Tucker Addington and Matt Overton to the practice squad. Addington has not played in the NFL, but did get his start at Sam Houston State and was part of the 2022 USFL season. Overton is a Pro Bowl long snapper who spent nine years in the NFL but was not part of an NFL roster to start the 2022 season.
Veteran deep snapper Jake McQuaide is likely out for the season with a torn triceps injury. The Cowboys worked out some snappers today, possibly signing to the practice squad.
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) October 4, 2022
Cowboys try out four long snappers after revealing that Jake McQuaide suffered a season-ending triceps tear injury
McQuaide is a long-time favorite of special teams coach John Fassel. The two were together at the Rams and reunited last year in Dallas. Like L.P. Ladouceur, McQuaide has been a durable and reliable veteran. This Sunday will be his first missed start in 12 seasons.
After getting Connor McGovern and Michael Gallup back last Sunday, it’s certainly frustrating to see another key player go down before Week 5.
Plus, the special teams unit has been crucial for the scoreboard for the Cowboys this year. As Jori Epstein points out, almost half of Dallas’s points this year have come from field goals or extra-point attempts.
Important for several reasons, including how dependent Cowboys have been on the field-goal operation. 35 of 71 points have come off FGs or PATs.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 4, 2022
Week 1 Bengals-Steelers indicated ominously the risks of a skewed operation. https://t.co/JBxo2K3YSh
We wish McQuaide a speedy recovery. Hopefully, the Cowboys can find a worthwhile replacement that can help Brett Maher continue his impressive opening campaign back with Dallas.
