ARLINGTON, Texas -- The concussion that kept the Dallas Cowboys' Jeremy Mincey out of Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons actually came when he was warming up for the Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I just toughed it out,” Mincey said. “Figured out a way to tough it out. I wish I would’ve been a lot smarter trying to just get through it, not knowing what’s going on. I’m here now, so hopefully I can get past the protocol and get this thing rolling next week.”
Mincey practiced last Wednesday and was limited Thursday with what was called an illness. He did not practice Friday because of a concussion and was ruled out of the Falcons' game. Without Mincey, Jack Crawford started the first game of his career and rookie Ryan Russell was active.
Mincey’s absence left the Cowboys without their top three right defensive ends with Greg Hardy (suspension) and Randy Gregory (ankle).
“It was definitely tough sitting out watching that, knowing we had a chance to seal the victory and we just fell short,” Mincey said. “Got to get back in the film room and see what we did wrong so we can correct those mistakes.”
Mincey said he “should be” cleared for practice and play next week against the New Orleans Saints.
This is the second time Mincey played through a concussion. He suffered one on the first play of the Cowboys’ wild-card win against the Detroit Lions last January.
“You got to finish it out, that’s how I feel, anyway,” Mincey said. “I can’t speak for anybody else. You’ve got to protect the temple (his body) but I want to win, too.”