Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott left Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Prescott was taken out with the Cowboys trailing 27-13, having completed 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown before his day ended. The Cowboys entered the game with a 3-4 record, on a two-game losing streak heading into Week 9. Prescott has struggled this season, with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions so far. His 84.5 passer rating is the worst of his career, as is his quarterback rating of 47.5. Prescott’s completion percentage and yards per attempt average entering Week 9 are also among the lowest of his career. In September, Prescott signed a historic four-year, $240 million contract with $231 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
Cooper Rush, who replaced Prescott, previously spent the first three years of his career with the Cowboys before playing for the New York Giants in 2020. He rejoined Dallas in 2021 and had seen limited playing time. Rush started five games in the 2022 season, going 4-1 in those games. His career stats before Sunday included a completion rate of 60.8%, 1,671 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions. With Prescott out, Rush will likely take over as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys until Prescott is healthy enough to return. The team, currently in third place in the NFC East, will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10.
The injury to Prescott and the potential extended absence is a major concern for the Cowboys, especially as their playoff hopes hang in the balance. Rush will have big shoes to fill as he steps into the starting quarterback role for the team. Prescott’s absence could have a significant impact on the Cowboys’ performance, especially considering his struggles this season. The team will need Rush to step up and perform at a high level to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
The Cowboys will be looking to Rush to lead them to victory in upcoming games and keep the team competitive in the NFC East. Rush will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and make a case for himself as a viable starting quarterback in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how Rush handles the pressure of being the starting quarterback for a high-profile team like the Cowboys. The team will be hoping that Rush can provide some stability at the quarterback position while Prescott is recovering from his injury.
As Rush takes over the quarterback duties, the Cowboys will be looking to rally around their backup quarterback and support him as he steps into the starting role. The team will need to come together and play at a high level on both sides of the ball to overcome the challenges of losing their star quarterback. The coaching staff will also need to make adjustments to accommodate Rush’s strengths and weaknesses as a quarterback. With the right game plan and execution, the Cowboys have the potential to weather this storm and remain competitive in the NFC East as the season progresses. Rush will have the opportunity to show what he can do on the field and make a case for himself as a capable starting quarterback in the NFL. Despite the adversity of losing Prescott to injury, the Cowboys will look to Rush to lead them to victory and keep their playoff hopes alive.
