Jones backs Cowboys coordinator after loss to Buccaneers

The Dallas Cowboys lost 24-16 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, and owner Jerry Jones said it was premature to consider replacing defensive coordinator Christian Parker, expressing confidence in him for now despite the team’s defensive struggles. Tampa Bay rushed for 241 yards in the home win, exploiting Dallas between the tackles. Jones said he was surprised by how effectively the Buccaneers ran the ball and called the defeat extraordinarily disappointing. He also acknowledged that Dallas needed to address its performance against the run. Asked whether Parker’s job was in immediate jeopardy, Jones said a change would be premature. He affirmed his confidence in the coordinator, who is responsible for directing a defense that has struggled to stop opponents on the ground. Jones’s comments describe his current position; they do not establish how long Parker will remain in the role. The Cowboys had a chance to tie the game late, trailing 24-16 in the final minutes. On Dallas’s last scoring drive, quarterback Dak Prescott’s pass to tight end Jake Ferguson was deflected and intercepted by Buccaneers linebacker Alex Anzalone, ending the threat.