'Feeling Great!' Mike McCarthy Appendicitis Scare No Match for Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys can expect to see head coach Mike McCarthy - fresh out of surgery - on the sidelines for Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles, even if it takes a little extra protection.

It’s not often coaches get to participate in the toughness they hope to maximize out of their players. On Sunday, though, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy will be calling plays just days after emergency surgery.

McCarthy had surgery for acute appendicitis on Wednesday, casting doubt upon his presence for Sunday Night Football between the Cowboys and the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. The Week 14 match is the most important game of the regular season and offers Dallas a chance to tie Philadelphia for first place in the NFC East.

Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy will be active on Sunday / ClutchPoints

McCarthy spoke on Friday to provide a brief update and confirm what Cowboys assistants have already believed.

“I’m feeling great,” McCarthy said. “I anticipate everything staying normal come Sunday night.”

Dallas expects to have the “Texas Coast Offense” architect on the sideline, but it isn’t without risk. He’ll only be four days past a legitimate medical procedure, and strenuous activity is generally advised against. He won’t be running any routes on Sunday, but collisions spilling out of bounds aren’t an infrequent occurrence.

“I’m definitely aware of that,” he said, regarding those risks. “I might have to get the bigger assistants to stand next to me.”

McCarthy - who when he entered the 9 a.m. Friday team meeting did so with “Many Men" by 50 Cent as his players’-picked theme song - said that he was sore, although that doesn’t raise any post-surgery red flags. Essentially, don’t expect McCarthy’s mid-week interruption to play a role in Sunday’s contest.

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The Cowboys are 3.5-point favorites as they look to even up the season series with Philadelphia. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is banged up and not firing on all cylinders, which the San Francisco 49ers took advantage of in Week 13. The 49ers’ 42-19 win opens the door for Dallas to take a critical step toward a division title.

With quarterback Dak Prescott on an MVP-like pace and Philadelphia looking to defend its lead, fireworks are in store for Sunday. Having confirmation that a (healthy) McCarthy will be present should give Cowboys fans an extra ounce of confidence in an otherwise stressful rivalry week.

Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. (CT) on NBC.