By Brandon George / Reporter
IRVING -- Cowboys fullback Tony Fiammetta, who has been a catalyst for the team's improved running game over the last month, won't play Sunday at Washington because of an illness he's been battling all week, coach Jason Garrett said Friday morning.
Garrett said the Cowboys aren't sure exactly what kind of illness Fiammetta has at this point.
"We're trying to get to the bottom of what it is. He's been sick all weeklong," Garrett said. "We're just kind of monitoring those symptoms and we're just going to continue to do that and see what the origin is."
Garrett said the Cowboys are still trying to decide how they will fill in for Fiammetta, but earlier in the season the Cowboys primarily used tight end John Phillips at fullback and that's certainly an option. The Cowboys could also call up fullback Shaun Chapas, the rookie out of Georgia, from the practice squad.
"That's a conversation we're still having right now," Garrett said. "Chapas is certainly someone we're considering. John Phillips has the versatility to play some of that stuff. We'll evaluate that over the next 24 hours."
Garrett said it's too soon to rule Fiammetta out of the Thanksgiving Day game against Miami on Thursday despite the quick turnaround after the Cowboys play Sunday at Washington. Garrett said the Cowboys will continue to evaluate Fiammetta and make that decision next week.
IRVING -- Cowboys fullback Tony Fiammetta, who has been a catalyst for the team's improved running game over the last month, won't play Sunday at Washington because of an illness he's been battling all week, coach Jason Garrett said Friday morning.
Garrett said the Cowboys aren't sure exactly what kind of illness Fiammetta has at this point.
"We're trying to get to the bottom of what it is. He's been sick all weeklong," Garrett said. "We're just kind of monitoring those symptoms and we're just going to continue to do that and see what the origin is."
Garrett said the Cowboys are still trying to decide how they will fill in for Fiammetta, but earlier in the season the Cowboys primarily used tight end John Phillips at fullback and that's certainly an option. The Cowboys could also call up fullback Shaun Chapas, the rookie out of Georgia, from the practice squad.
"That's a conversation we're still having right now," Garrett said. "Chapas is certainly someone we're considering. John Phillips has the versatility to play some of that stuff. We'll evaluate that over the next 24 hours."
Garrett said it's too soon to rule Fiammetta out of the Thanksgiving Day game against Miami on Thursday despite the quick turnaround after the Cowboys play Sunday at Washington. Garrett said the Cowboys will continue to evaluate Fiammetta and make that decision next week.
