While McCarthy seldom shares why a player is absent from practice, when the coach has used the phrase he used Wednesday about TE Andrew Quarless – that he was gone for “a positive personal situation” – that has historically meant the birth of a child. That’s why it was disconcerting to hear McCarthy’s tone and word choice change so dramatically 24 hours later, after Quarless was absent from the first practice of camp.

“I do not have a feel for when he will be back. He’s dealing with a very difficult, extremely difficult family situation right now,” McCarthy said. “So he’s with his family and he’ll be gone as long as he needs to be.”
Hope this isn't as bad as it sounds.