An unraveling season isn't getting any better for the Cowboys, with more injury issues to boot

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Mike McCarthy slammed a tablet. That was after the Dallas Cowboys coach already had reacted angrily to his failed fourth-down play call.

Dak Prescott grimaced badly on a throw when something the quarterback said he'd never felt before ended up being a hamstring injury that will sideline him at least one game, while All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb tossed a towel over his face to try to deal with the pain in a shoulder that hit the turf hard twice.

A season that already was turning south might have headed that way for good in a 27-21 loss to Atlanta, the first of four consecutive games for the Cowboys (3-5) against teams with winning records.

Prescott's backup, Cooper Rush, is set to start Sunday when the defending NFC East champions play division rival Philadelphia (6-2) at home. It's possible Prescott will miss multiple games.

Minus the coronavirus pandemic, it's beginning to look a lot like 2020, a lost season marred by injuries and myriad other issues in McCarthy's Dallas debut.

The difference is McCarthy isn't under contract beyond this year, which leaves owner and general manager Jerry Jones at a midseason crossroads with the trade deadline looming Tuesday.

Jones addressed players, coaches and staff in the locker room after the loss to the Falcons, trying to deliver a message that he believes the team can turn things around.

“I really don't want to get into that because it was a very emotional message,” Jones said when asked by reporters outside the locker room what he said. “We all know we've got to play better than we've played tonight or we're not going anywhere.”

Jones backed his coach again, too.

“I'm good with Mike,” Jones said. “I know how hard he works. I like his football mind. He's really good with players. He's got a lot of fire in his belly. And so I'm just giving you this: I like the positives I see.”

McCarthy said injured reserve was a consideration for Prescott, who was lost to a broken ankle in Week 5 in 2020, when the Cowboys finished 6-10. Dallas' current three-game losing streak is the first since that season. An IR move would sideline Prescott for at least four games.

Jones and McCarthy were optimistic Lamb would play against the Eagles despite a right shoulder sprain. Despite clearly being in pain, Lamb returned to the Atlanta game.

Regardless of who's in the lineup, the Cowboys face a long road to try to extend their three-year playoff run. They already have matched the number of losses from each of those three regular seasons.

“Sometimes in this league, it just takes one,” said Prescott, who left the Atlanta game early in the fourth quarter. “It takes one to get it going, to get that confidence back, to feel good and rally from there. I’m not looking too far ahead.”

One of the few positives for the Cowboys is actually something of an indictment. Their best offensive player has been kicker Brandon Aubrey, who has followed a record-setting rookie season with the second-longest field goal in NFL history at 65 yards, which came in Week 3 against Baltimore. He is 19 of 20 from at least 50 yards in two seasons.

There are so many problems that it's more a question of what doesn't need help. But the starting point is Dallas needs star pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) and All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) back soon.

The Cowboys have had difficulty getting pressure on opposing QBs without Parsons and defensive DeMarcus Lawrence. Both were injured in a victory at the New York Giants in Week 4. Lawrence is on injured reserve with a foot injury.

The secondary has looked lost at times and could use an emotional boost from Bland, who set an NFL record by returning five interceptions for touchdowns last season. The frustration boiled over when 2021 All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs lost his cool with a television reporter after losing to San Francisco.

Rico Dowdle looked good against the Falcons in the first game in which the Cowboys abandoned their committee approach behind Prescott. Dowdle got 12 of the 14 carries by running backs and had 75 yards rushing.

Dowdle's day raises questions about Ezekiel Elliott's future. Elliott stayed home for disciplinary reasons, and Jones said the issue was being late for meetings. Elliott rejoined the Cowboys after a year in New England. Dallas dumped its former two-time rushing champ in a cost-cutting move after the 2022 season.

Dallas keeps talking about communication problems, which just seem to get worse. Even after a timeout, Diggs wasn't sure where to line up and got beat for a long touchdown against the Falcons. The Cowboys wanted to go for it on fourth-and-1 in the second half but had 12 men in the huddle. They had to punt.

Beyond the questions around Prescott, Lamb, Parsons and Bland, the Cowboys are hoping WR Brandin Cooks can return from injured reserve soon. He's been out with a knee issue. It will be a longer absence for Lawrence and rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, a second-round pick who injured a knee in Week 5 at Pittsburgh.

3.8 — The air yards per attempt for Prescott against the Falcons, a career low by more than half a yard. It's a stark illustration of how the Cowboys don't trust a mostly young and badly underperforming offensive line to protect the quarterback.

The Cowboys already are three games behind Washington and Philadelphia in the loss column in the NFC East. They like to look at the bright side of having both games against the Commanders and Eagles remaining.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyler Guyton talks on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) celebrates a touchdown reception against Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reads a tablet on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder won their franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season game, 116-98 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

The Thunder trailed by 16 in the first half before pulling within 52-48 at halftime. Shaking off a cold shooting first half, the Thunder exploded for 42 third-quarter points and an 18-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander also had a game high eight assists for the Thunder, who are 28-5 and have won 17 of their last 18 regular-season games. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 11 points and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Amir Coffey led the Clippers with 26 points.

After shooting just 31% in the first half, the Thunder wound up at an even 50% for the game and added to their league-leading steal total with 11 takeaways.

Despite the slow start, the Thunder's depth eventually overwhelmed the Clippers, who were without James Harden, a late scratch.

Williams hit a runner at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers lead to four, then scored the first six points of the second half to jumpstart a 23-5 run that put the Thunder in control.

Norman Powell came into the game averaging a career high 24.3 points per game. He missed his first nine shots and didn’t get a basket until eight minutes remained, finishing with six points on 1-of-11 shooting including 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

The Thunder continue their homestand Friday night against the Knicks. The Clippers return home to host Atlanta on Saturday with the expected return of Kawhi Leonard.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, center, looks to pass the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, knocks the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks for an outlet as Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)