ARLINGTON, Texas — Cooper Rush will be stepping into his role as the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback for the eighth time, marking the first occasion where he must rebound swiftly after an underwhelming performance in a recent loss.
During his tenure as a backup to Dak Prescott in 2022, Rush achieved four consecutive wins before suffering a defeat against Philadelphia, where he threw three interceptions, coinciding with Prescott’s return from a broken thumb.
With Prescott now out for the season due to a torn hamstring, Rush’s last outing left much to be desired, as the Cowboys are set to host the Houston Texans, who lead the AFC South, on Monday night.
The Cowboys, currently struggling with a record of 3-6, are experiencing a four-game losing streak and have not secured a win at home this season. They are now fading in the NFC East, an area they once dominated as defending division champions, and are approaching this matchup just days after Prescott underwent surgery.
“Our thoughts will be with him, yet we need to compete and show the same drive and leadership we would if he were here,” said CeeDee Lamb, a 2023 All-Pro wide receiver. “We need to elevate our game and live up to our own expectations.”
Central to this effort will be Rush, whose record low of 45 passing yards in last week’s game against the Eagles was the worst for a Dallas starting quarterback since Matt Cassel’s 37 yards in a 2015 loss to the Jets.
This latest defeat was particularly disheartening, marking a third blowout loss at home, and it followed Prescott’s injury sustained during a previous game against Atlanta.
“Cooper needs to guide us through our runs and passes, finding a rhythm,” coach Mike McCarthy noted. “The offense should distribute the ball effectively to our playmakers. We need to regain that functionality.”
During the last game, Rush faced a setback after a dropped snap resulted in a fumble deep in his territory, granting Philadelphia a quick lead.
Despite being a reliable performer throughout his career, the mistake seemed to shake Rush, who concluded the game completing 13 of 23 passes with a below-average of 1.96 yards per attempt.
“I was definitely frustrated by that,” Rush admitted. “It gave them great field position, which stung, but I was pleased with our ability to regroup and score on the next drive.”
After starting strong with five victories previously, Rush has now lost his last two games against the Eagles. During his successful run in 2022, he managed to avoid turnovers, averaging 194 yards without an interception over four games.
Historically, the Cowboys have enjoyed good fortune with a turnover margin of at least plus-10 for three consecutive seasons, yet they currently sit at minus-10, ranking 29th in the NFL. Recently, they have recorded five turnovers in each of their last two home games.
While Rush did not throw an interception in the last match, he fumbled twice, adding to the team’s turnover woes.
“Everyone has confidence in Cooper,” McCarthy stated. “He has earned that trust with his prior performances. That fumble was a rocky start for him, and I felt he struggled to find his rhythm afterward.”
Two of Rush’s five touchdown passes from his previous stint were to Lamb, who has since had a breakout year, setting career highs with 135 catches, leading the NFL, counting for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, ultimately resulting in a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension signed in August.
With Dallas’ diminishing playoff prospects, the success of the team will heavily depend on revitalizing the connection between Rush and Lamb.
“I fully accept my role in synchronizing with him,” Lamb stated. “We are committed to pushing through the rest of the season together, and I have complete faith in Cooper, regardless of what transpired last week.”