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

Mike McCarthy slammed a tablet after coach of Dallas Cowboys already had reacted angrily to his failed fourth-down play call.

Dak Prescott grimaced badly on a throw when something quarterback said he'd never felt before ended up being a pulled hamstring , while All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb tossed a towel over his face to try to cover pain from a right shoulder that hit turf hard twice.

A season that already was turning south might have headed that way for good in a 27-21 loss to Atlanta , first of four consecutive games for Cowboys (3-5) against teams with winning records. Division rival Philadelphia (6-2) visits defending NFC East champions on Sunday.

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

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

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

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

Jones backed his coach again, too.

“I'm good with Mike,” Jones said. “I kw 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 positives I see.”

Cowboys didn't have immediate word on severity of injury to Prescott , who was lost to a broken ankle in Week 5 in 2020, when y finished 6-10. Dallas' current three-game losing streak is first since that season.

Jones was optimistic that Lamb would be able to play through what appeared to be a sprained shoulder. Despite clearly being in pain, Lamb returned to game.

Even if Prescott and Lamb don't miss considerable time, Cowboys have a long way to go to try to extend ir three-year playoff run. y already have matched number of losses from each of those three regular seasons.

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

One of few positives for Cowboys is actually something of an indictment. ir best offensive player has been kicker Brandon Aubrey, who has followed a record-setting rookie season with 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.

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

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

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. 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 Falcons in first game in which Cowboys abandoned ir committee approach behind Prescott. Dowdle got 12 of 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 issue was being late for meetings. Elliott rejoined Cowboys after a year in New England. Dallas dumped its former two-time rushing champ in a cost-cutting move after 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 Falcons. Cowboys wanted to go for it on fourth-and-1 in second half but had 12 men in huddle. y had to punt.

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

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