With Barry Church out for the year with a ruptured Achilles tendon, Danny McCray is, for all intents and purposes, a starter. But he’s still waiting on his first career start.
McCray would have made his first start against the Buccaneers in week three, but Dallas opened the game in a package that saw cornerback Brandon Carr dropped back to safety--McCray’s spot. But he played all but 14 of the Cowboys’ 60 defensive snaps, and did well enough to earn a good deal of confidence going into the Monday night matchup with the Bears.
“Danny’s always been real dependable,” defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said, per ESPN Dallas. “That’s the one thing, he’s always going to approach the game like he’s a starter and those are the guys you love because as a backup you get no work and then you have to go function in the game. Danny’s always doing that the last two years I’ve been here. I know he’s worked hard for this opportunity and the guys are depending on him. We know we can count on him.”
McCray, who has been credited with seven tackles on the season to date, believes he’s ready for his suddenly expanded role, as well.
“I think I’m about as ready as I can be,” McCray said. “I’ve been practicing well, studying, looking at a lot of film, getting on the same page as my teammates. I feel like I’m ready to go.”
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