Mike McCarthy, like any and all active NFL coaches, loves gamesmanship.
And this morning, McCarthy was fully engaging in it when he was telling reporters that Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott could play on Sunday (despite rehabbing a knee injury) if he practices on Saturay. It’s the kind of thing a coach does to try to keep his opponents awake at night.
But, thankfully, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones put any fears of Elliott pulling some Willis Reed type of act on Sunday against the Bears by announcing Dallas’ lead back is sitting out this week:
On the one hand, I’m thankful Jones clarified Elliott’s situation. Not just because it is one less thing to worry about from the Bears side of things. But also because of the hilarious side-plot this sequence of events has provided us. Think about it. Imagine if George McCaskey was undermining Matt Eberflus during a Friday media availability. That would be chaotic as heck. Moreover, could you imagine what it would be like if McCaskey had regular media availability? Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to hear more from the Bears chairman on a variety of topics. But there are times when less is more. And I think that would apply to McCaskey — especially if he had a penchant for talking as much as Jerry Jones.
In the end, we’re spared from that conversation. And we don’t have to deal with the possibility of Elliott gashing the Bears on Sunday. I’d consider that a win-win.