Skip to main content

Dallas Cowboys star suffered painful testicular injury before game-winning touchdown

Posted on October 8, 2024 - 1:40 am by

Jalen Tolbert managed to ignore a painful testicular injury and find space in the end zone to win the game for the Dallas Cowboys, who denied the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road

The Dallas Cowboys secured a dramatic late 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers after Jalen Tolbert put his body on the line to score a go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds remaining.

Tolbert, 25, became the hero after hauling in Dak Prescott‘s pass on fourth-and-goal, the final play of the game for Dallas. Prescott had looked for Tolbert at the back of the end zone on third down, but after attempting to catch the low pass the wide receiver was in considerable pain after hitting the turf.



The Cowboys were forced to use their third and final timeout of the game, and Tolbert lined up for the last play despite struggling to walk. His efforts appear even more heroic after teammate Tyler Smith revealed he suffered a painful testicular injury on the previous play.

“Bro, it was miraculous. I mean, JT literally sprained his f—— nuts — excuse me, sorry guys — sprained his nuts the play before, comes back, makes the game-winner. Unbelievable,” Smith said in the locker room after the game.

It was a huge win for the Cowboys after entering Week 5 with a depleted roster, following injuries to defensive stars Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks was also out, and Tolbert stepped up in his absence with 87 yards off seven receptions and the game-winning touchdown.



The victory was secured on Monday morning after the game was delayed for 90 minutes due to weather concerns in Pittsburgh. It was a memorable day in the NFL, lasting for approximately 15 hours as the New York Jets faced the Minnesota Vikings at 9:30 a.m. ET in London.

It was also seen as a must-win for Dallas, who entered the game 2-2 following an inconsistent start to the season. The NFC East is currently being led by the Washington Commanders, after they improved to 4-1 ahead of “Sunday Night Football” between the Cowboys and Steelers.



It was the first time that head coach Mike McCarthy has managed a regular-season win in his hometown, with Pittsburgh being his hometown. McCarthy was given the game ball by the players for the first time in his career, and Prescott toured the area before Sunday’s game to learn more about where his head coach came from.

“That’s a guy that, I mean, I know how I feel about him,” Prescott said after the game. “Love him. Great head coach. He’s very, very proud to be from Pittsburgh. Greenfield at that. And you hear it anytime anything comes up with references from this place.