Cowboys' Mike McCarthy to undergo surgery, still expected on sideline for game against Eagles

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Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday to address an acute case of appendicitis, the team announced. 

McCarthy began experiencing abdominal pain this week and eventually visited the Cowboys' medical staff. He is expected to be released from the hospital later on Wednesday. Dallas will host their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. McCarthy is expected to coach at that game.

However, McCarthy will miss Wednesday's practice. Assistant coaches Dan Quinn, Brian Schottenheimer and John Fassel will lead the practice while McCarthy recovers from the procedure.

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Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy looks on during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 22. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

McCarthy took over the offensive playcalling this season after the team parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, but Schottenheimer and the other offensive coaches do play key roles in the game planning.

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The Cowboys are in the midst of an offensive surge, and quarterback Dak Prescott's name has been linked to MVP conversations. 

Dallas' 32.2 points per game average currently leads the league.

McCarthy has coached in the NFL for almost two decades and is in the midst of his fourth season as the Cowboys' head coach. He is the fifth-winningest active coach.

Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 22. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

If McCarthy is not available on Sunday, Quinn could put on the head coach's headset for the pivotal matchup with the Eagles. Quinn has previous head coaching experience, serving as the Atlanta Falcons' head coach for more than five seasons.

Quinn also filled in late in the 2021 season when McCarthy had to sit out due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, on Jan. 8. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

With five weeks remaining in the season, the Cowboys and Eagles continue to battle for the top spot in the division and potentially the top seed in the NFC conference. 

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Philadelphia currently leads the division with a 10-2 record, while Dallas is in second place with a 9-3 record. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 28-23 in Week 9.

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Dallas enter Sunday's game on a four-game winning streak, while Philadelphia dropped its second game of the season last week.