With Andy Dalton and Dak Prescott both out for Sunday’s game, that leaves Ben DiNuccii is the starter. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys will sign former backup quarterback Cooper Rush once he passes COVID-19 protocols. Rush will join the roster next week.
“With their top two QBs sidelined, the #Cowboys are bringing back an old friend: Cooper Rush is expected to sign to Dallas’ practice squad once he passes COVID protocols and a physical, per source. That should be next week.”
Rush was originally the backup quarterback to Prescott for the last three years. This comes just one week after the team added Garrett Gilbert, but he will remain with the practice squad.
The team needed depth for DiNucci in case he got hurt. The team drafted DiNucci No. 231 overall, taking the James Madison quarterback in the seventh round.
He began his career at Pittsburgh before transferring to James Madison. He earned CAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after throwing for 3,441 yards and 29 touchdowns. His completion percentage of 70.9% led the nation.
The Cowboys once had a quarterback out of James Madison, who turned out to be pretty solid. Charles Haley, was drafted out of James Madison by the 49ers and traded to the Cowboys in 1992. Haley eventually made the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Heading into last week’s game, McCarthy was focused on DiNucci’s development.
“Frankly, I’m not as concerned about Andy Dalton’s preparation as much as I’m focused on Ben DiNucci’s,” McCarthy said on Thursday, via 247Sports. “We have to make sure that the No. 2, that’s where the biggest preparation and change is going on.”
The Cowboys will take on the Eagles on Sunday.