Football has been the last thing on a lot of Cowboys players' minds over the past couple of days, but against the Raiders, it is expected be the main thing, and psychologically speaking, in a very literal sense? An actual game might be just what the doctor ordered.
LAS VEGAS - "The Light.''
The Dallas Cowboys' collective focus is now shifting to football after the tragic events of Marshawn Kneeland's suicide.
Factually, getting back on the practice field and in team meetings has been good for some; for others, it's a tough balance, and that's OK.
But there is a game of football to play against the Las Vegas Raiders here tonight on "Monday Night Football,'' and for some, activity like this might be just what is needed.
That is the view of QB and team leader Dak Prescott, speaking just for himself.
"Having dealt with loss, that is the best medicine for me,'' said Dak, reflecting on his brother's suicide and his own approach to practice. "Getting back out there, handing the ball off and sprinting an extra 10 yards and making sure I'm doing it hard. Marshawn went through my mind a few times in practice ... and I just countered that with running harder after a play or trying to do something to better this team and to show that."
The emotion even impacts newcomers to the team, like linebacker Logan Wilson, who comes here via trade from the Bengals.
Said Wilson: “I think it just kind of helps guys get their mind on football and not forgetting about him, but moving forward and bringing a light to the situation and that's kind of the mantra around the team right now.”
That word - the "light'' - is one Prescott used as well in regard to what Kneeland was ... and maybe what he still is.
It will be an interesting thing to watch all of this play out in Las Vegas ... to see what sort of Cowboys performance we get.
And yes, it's "MNF'' ... so the world will be watching.
It can be argued that this team deserves some grace, given what the entire franchise has been through of late. At the same time, it is clear the team is going to do its best to honor Marshawn's memory in a positive way.
And that's by flying around on the field making plays.
Football has been the last thing on a lot of players' minds over the past couple of days, but against the Raiders, it is expected be the main thing, and psychologically speaking, in a very literal sense?
An actual game might be just what the doctor ordered.