And the bad news keeps coming for the Dallas Cowboys. According to reports Andy Dalton will miss yet another game after being added to the COVID-19 list, which is less than ideal considering they host the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.
The Dallas Cowboys will be without quarterback Andy Dalton for a second straight game but not because of the concussion he sustained two weeks ago. Dalton will be placed on the reserve/COVID 19 list on Tuesday, which will knock him out of Sunday's game… https://t.co/126lxlBS2k
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 3, 2020
This marks the second week in a row the Dallas Cowboys have been without their top two quarterbacks. Against the Philadelphia Eagles last week they turned to rookie QB Ben DiNucci and could certainly go that direction once again in Week 9, but word on the street is they are also seriously considering turning to the recently signed veteran Cooper Rush.
The #Cowboys are seriously contemplating turning to QB Cooper Rush as their starter this week… which would require he get activated from the practice squad, source said. With Andy Dalton down with COVID, it may not be Ben DiNucci again.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2020
Cooper Rush is already ahead of the game when it comes to knowing the Dallas Cowboys offensive system. He served as Dak Prescott's primary backup the past few seasons before being released this offseason when Andy Dalton was signed. That familiarity is one of the reasons they signed him to the practice squad last week and are now contemplating him as a starter in Week 9.
Mike McCarthy on Cooper Rush last week…
“Cooper is someone that Kellen Moore is fond of. So it's a natural move to enhance the quarterback room. He will be part of it next week if he makes it through COVID protocol.”
Cooper Rush's knowledge of Kellen Moore's system and familiarity with the Cowboys' personnel probably makes him the best option to start this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The playbook should be wide open for him, whereas it would likely have to be dialed back a bit for Ben DiNucci or Garrett Gilbert.
It's unknown what the Dallas Cowboys will do right now, however, it certainly seems as if Cooper Rush is most qualified QB on the roster to start this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whoever they decide to go with though won't have it easy against a very tough Steelers defense. After all, they pride themselves on making things as difficult as possible on opposing QBs.
