Cooper Rush is unsure if his final start as the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback came in Sunday’s 25-10 victory over the Washington Commanders. Jerry Jones doesn’t either.
They only know that, if it is, Rush has left the Cowboys in a stronger position than when he replaced an injured Dak Prescott three weeks ago.
“I can’t say enough about his play,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after the Cowboys’ third straight victory. “What it has possibly done for this team this season to give us a chance to sit here after these last three ball games and maybe have the opportunity we’ve got for the rest of the year. It’s amazing. It’s far more than what I would’ve expected.”
According to sources speaking to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Prescott hopes to play against the Los Angeles Rams the following week. However, the Cowboys (3-1) want to make sure that Prescott is as healthy as possible and may delay his return until Week 6 when they play the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
After the win over Washington, Jones said, “I can’t give you anything there medically” about the status of Prescott, who had surgery Sept. 12. Prescott had the stitch removed from his right thumb on Monday, and coach Mike McCarthy said during the week the quarterback still had some swelling in the thumb that needed to subside before he could step up his throwing.
“I really don’t know that I’d call that throwing what he’s doing, but he’s certainly got movement,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t know if he’s throwing at a level that you could say the grip and everything effectively is a good throw, a good, normal passing throw.”
Rush became the first quarterback to start for the Cowboys and the NFL to win his first four games since Kyle Allen did likewise for the Carolina Panthers during a two-season span (2018-19).
“It’s been fun. Trying to enjoy it,” Rush said. “The NFL doesn’t let you enjoy it much. You got to go week in and week out and play. The 4-0 is just, I mean, I guess I would say the defense and all the breaks you catch, it’s just kind of lucky. QB win stats, they are what they are. It’s a team game.”
On Sunday, Rush completed 15 of 27 throws for 223 yards and two touchdowns. In his three starts, he has only been sacked twice and has not had a pass intercepted.
Although Jones claimed he would relish a quarterback shortage since it would signal Rush has succeeded in winning games without Prescott, Prescott will reclaim the starting job once he is recovered. The only question left is when.
“You just enjoy playing ball,” Rush said. “You don’t get to start every week as a backup. That’s why when you’re in there, you just want to do your job. You really enjoy it. It’s fun being with those guys. We have a heckuva team. Great locker room. So you cherish it all. When your number’s called, you just keep playing.”
