Andy Dalton details arduous bout with concurrent concussion, COVID-19 symptoms: 'Crazy 3 weeks'
Andy Dalton has had a rough few weeks.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback was the victim of a vicious hit to the head on Oct. 25 against the Washington Football Team that left him concussed. While he was recuperating from the brain injury, he contracted COVID-19. So did his wife and one of his sons.
After three weeks away from the football field, Dalton is slated to return for the Cowboys on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. He spoke with reporters Thursday about his experience the past few weeks. It was not easy, to put it mildly
Dalton lost his helmet and was briefly knocked from the Week 7 hit by Washington’s Jon Bostic, who was later fined $12,000 for the illegal hit. He needed help off the field and hasn’t played since.
Dalton lost memory, expected bigger fine for hit
Dalton suffered headaches and memory loss in the aftermath of the concussion, he said Thursday. He was surprised by how small Bostic’s fine was considering the nature of the hit.
“You know with that whole thing, just looking at some of the fines and different things that other people got, I was a little surprised by the number,” Dalton said. “But it is what it is.”
Dalton still dealing with loss of taste, smell
Dalton then said that COVID-19 hit when he thought he was recovering from the initial concussion symptoms. He was still experiencing headaches, but they were different.
“Right when I thought I was feeling normal, I got hit by COVID,” Dalton said.
Dalton said he doesn’t know how he contracted the coronavirus while describing the ordeal as a “crazy three weeks.” He said he lost his sense of taste and smell and still hasn’t recovered them.
“You can tell things are sweet,” Dalton said. “You can tell things are salty. You just don’t get the flavor with it. I can eat really healthy right now, and it doesn’t matter cause I can’t taste it.”
Despite the lingering COVID symptoms, Dalton has been medically cleared on both fronts to rejoin the Cowboys and drew praise from head coach Mike McCarthy for his performance in practice this week.
He’s expected to suit up Sunday against the Vikings with the 2-7 Cowboys still in the playoff hunt in the dreadful NFC East.
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