Jake McQuaide Injury Could Significantly Impact Rams Game
The long snapper position is one of the most underrated positions in football due to it not being a glamorous position like the quarterback. Dallas Cowboys long snapper Jake McQuaide being knocked out the rest of the season may be a short-term problem for the team heading into this weekend’s contest with the Los Angeles Rams.
It was announced Wednesday that Jake McQuaide would be placed on the IR after suffering a season-ending torn triceps injury. The injury to Jake McQuaide resulted in the team bringing in two long snappers to join the team to battle for the position. Matt Overton and Tucker Addington were signed onto the team to help fill the position.
The @dallascowboys made the following transactions on Wednesday: Reserve/Injured: – LS Jake McQuaide Signed to practice squad: – LS Tucker Addington – LS Matt Overton Signed to active roster from practice squad: – QB Will Grier Returned to Practice: – LB Damone Clark — Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) October 5, 2022
Jake McQuaide is a veteran in the NFL as he started with the Rams back in 2011 and played up until last season with the team. He earned two Pro Bowls with the team in 2016 and 2017 for his performance on the field. Dallas came calling in 2021 to take over the position from 15-year-long snapper L.P. Ladouceur who was not resigned by the team after the 2020 season.
Overton is also a veteran in the NFL playing for nine years for multiple teams. He started his career in the United Football League playing for the Florida Tuskers and Omaha Nighthawks. His stops in the NFL have included the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts. The Colts was his long stint playing five seasons with the team that included a Pro Bowl appearance.
Addington is a younger player who played his college ball at Sam Houston State University. This past spring, he was drafted in the sixth round to the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in their first annual draft. Should he make the roster, he would be the second USFL player on the Cowboys roster as the team also has a wide receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin.
How Jake McQuaide’s Injury Affects Dallas
No matter who they bring in at long snapper to replace Jake McQuaide, it won’t take long for Overton or Addington to get adjusted and get the job done. This is a key position as special teams are all important for points and field position. NFL fans have already seen this season how a long snapper can make an impact on a game as that can be the difference between winning a game and losing a game.
Take the situation with the Cincinnati Bengals in their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bengals long snapper Clark Harris injured his biceps during the game which knocked him out. Tight end Mitchell Wilcox was called into the game to fill in and the team had a blocked kick and a high snap field goal that was missed. Those two critical mistakes cost the Bengals the game.
Granted, this was a different situation where they brought someone in who doesn’t long snap commonly into the game to help. The Cowboys at least have brought in two players who do this full-time and can contribute. That doesn’t mean fans can overlook this and think because Overton is a Pro Bowler or Addington did it in the USFL a few months ago that they will be good.
These guys are coming in cold off the street hoping to help the team out right away. Is there a chance it will all end up well for the Cowboys? Yes, it should be good. But it has to be something that the organization and the fans keep in mind throughout the Rams game Sunday. Fans can only hope all goes well on Sunday and not let an impactful injury like Jake McQuaide’s ruin their three-game winning streak.