The NFL put in more stringent COVID-19 testing and protocols for the days following Thanksgiving.
This will be the third time in the past four games the Cowboys will be missing members of their coaching staff because of the coronavirus. Offensive line coach Joe Philbin and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kendall Smith both missed the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Raiders and won't make the trip to New Orleans. Assistant offensive line coach Jeff Blasko, offensive assistant Scott Tolzien and strength and conditioning coordinator Harold Nash Jr., also will miss the New Orleans game.
The Cowboys (7-4), who have lost three of their last four games, are expected to get back receiver Amari Cooper, who missed the past two games following a positive COVID-19 test.