The Cowboys already were facing five games without starting right tackle La’el Collins.
Their offensive line depth waned further when backup tackle Ty Nsekhe was transported to the hospital Thursday.
Nsekhe suffered “heat illness symptoms after practice,” head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday morning. “Our medical staff felt it was best that he spent the evening in the hospital.”
Nsekhe was released from the hospital Friday morning, McCarthy said, but will not travel to Los Angeles for the Cowboys’ Week 2 matchup against the Chargers.
“Any time you’re dealing with heat issues, it’s never comfortable,” McCarthy said. “Even when an individual needs to get an IV, being dehydrated is an uncomfortable feeling. You have guys that maybe cramped after a hot practice like that. It’s never a comfortable feeling.”
The Cowboys practiced outdoors Wednesday and Thursday during a week in which Texas heat hovered in the 90s. The Cowboys’ outdoor practice fields further attract heat as sun rays ricochet off surrounding glass windows.
Wednesday, the Cowboys had a lighter practice without pads. Thursday featured the team’s heaviest practice workload of the week with pads.
