Things were going so well for Cooper Rush and the Dallas Cowboys. In his four starts since replacing an injured Dak Prescott late in Week 1, Rush completed 61.9% of his passes for 775 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Most importantly, the Cowboys won all four games. Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles was a much different story.
Rush struggled badly in the first half. He threw two interceptions and the Eagles led 20-3 at halftime. Things got better in the second half and early in the fourth quarter. Rush and Jake Ferguson connected for a touchdown. With that, the Cowboys trailed by a manageable 20-17 with nearly a full quarter left to play. Philadelphia responded with a touchdown of its own and on the ensuing Dallas possession, Rush threw his third and final pick of the night.
And C.J. Gardner-Johnson intercepts Cooper Rush for the second time in the game. Brandon Graham gets the assist for forcing a quick throw from Rush. pic.twitter.com/TO4CvPKgH4
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 17, 2022
And for all intents and purposes, that was all she wrote.
The Cowboys lost 26-17. Rush finished the game 18-for-31 with 181 passing, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Throughout Rush’s time as the starter, Jerry Jones remained steadfast that upon return from injury, Prescott was going to be the starting quarterback. Jones is obviously the final decision maker with the Cowboys. But Rush’s great play invited some speculation about a pending quarterback controversy, something Jones readily welcomed.
But after Sunday night’s loss, the quarterback controversy talks were quieted. Rush’s play was heavily criticized.
If you are reading this tweet never compare Cooper Rush to Dak Prescott again in your lifetime
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) October 17, 2022
CeeDee Lamb: "IM WIDE OPEN"
Cooper Rush: pic.twitter.com/BbqUPf304n
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) October 17, 2022
Cooper Rush when there’s an open receiver pic.twitter.com/6EiJMEMO3M
— UDDA (@UDDA_WINNER) October 17, 2022
Feel bad that Cooper Rush’s wife spent all that money on a flight to watch him throw 3 picks.
— Pat Egan (@Pat_Egan) October 17, 2022
Cooper Rush getting called into Jerry Jones office after Dak comes back pic.twitter.com/y6gMPsZKLr
— Piñata Farms: The Meme App (@pinatafarms) October 17, 2022
every single person that said Cooper Rush "takes care of the ball" should be ashamed
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 17, 2022
Cowboys executive vice president recently expressed optimism that Prescott would return for the game on Oct. 30 against the Chicago Bears. Dallas has only one game between now and then, that will be in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions.
