The Dallas Cowboys will lose starting quarterback Dak Prescott for 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery on his right thumb. He injured the thumb during Sunday night’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cooper Rush entered the game to replace Prescott.
Jerry Jones announced the seriousness of Prescott’s injury, indicating that Rush will be taking snaps during his absence. The offense could not find its rhythm throughout the entire game, which raised concern in the first place. Now, the starting quarterback is going to miss about half the season.
With their offense exposed on prime-time football, Dallas will temporarily move forward with a new field general. Who is Cooper Rush?
The Early Days
The Michigan-born QB attended Lansing Catholic High School, where he played three sports. Standing out in football, he guided his high school team to back-to-back undefeated seasons. Rush won ESPN’s Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
The three-star athlete announced his commitment to Central Michigan. Rush chose the Chippewas over Toledo. In his sophomore year he set an NCAA record with seven touchdown passes in a bowl game.
Rush had a solid junior year, throwing for 3,853 yards and 25 TDs in 13 games for Central Michigan. The Chippewas lost the Miami Beach Bowl 55-10 to Tulsa.
The QB finished his four-year collegiate career completing 62% of his passes, with 12,891 passing yards and 90 touchdowns. He entered the 2017 NFL Draft.
“You Are Now A Dallas Cowboy”
Rush signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. After impressive performances in the preseason games, he won the third-string quarterback job. He eventually upgraded to backup Prescott and made his NFL debut, coming into the game with Dallas winning 40-10 over the San Fransisco 49ers.
Dallas signed Andy Dalton in the 2020 offseason and released Rush. The QB was claimed by the New York Giants but released a few months later. He rejoined Dallas for the 2021 season.
The highlight of Rush’s career came in 2021 when he made his first NFL start. Dak Prescott was ruled out after a calf injury. Rush started in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings and provided Dallas with a shocking win. The backup tossed 325 passing yards and two TDs in the 20-16 victory.
Rush was waived by Dallas at the end of August but signed with the practice squad. He suited up for Week 1 and got some action after Prescott departed with the thumb issue.
Moving Forward
So, ladies and gentlemen, that is an introduction to Cooper Rush. Before their bye week in Week 9, Rush will have to face the three NFC East division rivals, the two teams that met in the Super Bowl last year, and two NFC North squads.
Can Cooper Rush keep the Dallas Cowboys in shape for the first half of the season? He has serious challenges ahead, and hopes to keep the NFC East hopes alive.
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