Cowboys Rumors: ‘No Thought’ of Trey Lance as QB1 over Rush amid Dak Prescott Injury

Despite having an opportunity to get an extended look at Trey Lance with Dak Prescott expected to go on injured reserve, the Dallas Cowboys don’t plan on going in that direction at this point.

Per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, there is “no thought” of the Cowboys starting Lance over Cooper Rush because they belief Rush gives them a better chance to win games.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan’s Shan & RJ show (h/t The Athletic’s Jon Machota) that Prescott will “likely” be placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the third quarter of their 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

A move to IR would keep Prescott out for a minimum of four games. Dallas’ season was already in peril coming off three straight losses that dropped its record to 3-5 overall.

Rush has extensive experience as the No. 2 quarterback for the Cowboys. The 30-year-old has been on the roster since signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He has made six starts in his career, including five in the 2022 season when Prescott was out with a broken thumb.

If the Cowboys’ goal is to try salvaging this season, Rush is probably their best option to do so. It’s a tall task because they weren’t winning games with Prescott, but there is optimism they will get Micah Parsons back this week after he’s missed the last four games due to a high ankle sprain.

It can certainly be argued that the best approach for the Cowboys is to evaluate what they have for 2025 and beyond because they haven’t looked like a viable contender in the NFC all season.

Lance, who is in the final season of his rookie contract, may not be part of the long-term future in Dallas, but he might have a higher ceiling than Rush at this point.

The No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Lance’s career has never really been given a chance to play out on the field. He hasn’t had regular playing time since 2019 when he was the starter at North Dakota State.

A fractured ankle suffered in Week 2 of the 2022 season ended Lance’s only real chance at being a starter in San Francisco. He was traded to the Cowboys in August 2023 but hasn’t appeared in a game.

As Rush prepares to take over the offense for the time being, the Cowboys’ schedule doesn’t ease up with their next three games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders.