Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott "seems to have a good chance" to retake the field Oct. 16 when his team plays the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Wednesday reported that note and more regarding Prescott, who suffered a fractured thumb Sept. 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

From NFL Now: Looking at #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and when he may play again... pic.twitter.com/dJtPdeqOk2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2022

"From my understanding, he has an outside/slim chance to play against the Rams," Rapoport said, referencing Dallas' Oct. 9 matchup at Los Angeles. "I know that's when he would like to play—but probably a slim chance—but seems to have a good chance to play Oct. 16 against the Eagles. That's probably the most realistic time when we could see Dak Prescott."

Prescott said Monday that he's looking to return against the defending Super Bowl champions.

"Nah, probably not," Prescott told Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today when asked about his availability for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. "But Week 5 against the Rams? That's the one I'm looking at."

That means Cooper Rush will once again start for the Cowboys. Rush has led Dallas to a pair of wins over the Cincinnati Bengals (20-17) and New York Giants (23-16) in the past two weeks.

Rush has completed 47 of 75 passes for 514 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. The Cowboys will also be clear favorites at home against the 1-2 Commanders, who have been outscored 46-0 in the first half of their last two games.

The Rams matchup should be far tougher, especially since they feature one of the best defensive players of all time in lineman Aaron Donald. But having Prescott back for the Eagles game will be far more important considering Philadelphia's hot start and status as an NFC East rival.

The 3-0 Eagles are one of two remaining undefeated teams alongside the Miami Dolphins. They have an MVP candidate in Jalen Hurts at quarterback leading a dominant offense that includes wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and a great line.

The defense has also played better than it did last year, with cornerback Darius Slay notably looking like an All-Pro through three weeks. He notched two interceptions in Week 2 versus the Minnesota Vikings and has five pass breakups.

Rush has played well, but Prescott will certainly be welcomed back by a team that finished with the NFL's No. 1 offense in points and yards last year when he started 16 games.

Jerry Jones is far more interested in seeing the Dallas Cowboys win a Super Bowl than he is in selling the storied franchise.

"I know that I wouldn't sell the Cowboys for $10 [billion]," he said, per Josh Schafer of Yahoo Finance. "I'll book it. I would not. Of course, I’m not interested in selling the Cowboys. … And then you have the fact that I bought the Cowboys not to make money, at all. ... What I wanted to do was coach football."

While Jones doesn't have any interest in selling, the opportunity for a massive return on his investment does exist.

Schafer noted he purchased the franchise for $150 million in 1989, which was a record at the time. However, Forbes listed the Cowboys as the world's most valuable sports team in 2022 at an estimated value of $8 billion.

That is far more than the $4.65 billion the Denver Broncos sold for in June, which was the most expensive professional sports purchase ever.

It is a testament to the strength of the NFL that the New England Patriots ($6.4 billion) and Los Angeles Rams ($6.2 billion) round out Forbes' top three, with the New York Giants ($6 billion), Chicago Bears ($5.8 billion) and Washington Commanders ($5.6 billion) also all included in the top 10.

The league is a television-ratings powerhouse and entered a new streaming deal with Amazon.

Dallas is consistently in the marquee viewing windows for those ratings as America's Team with the instantly recognizable star on the helmet and massive AT&T Stadium serving as the backdrop.

Joe Lucia of Awful Announcing noted the Cowboys' Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 27.389 million viewers on CBS, which was the network's most-watched national window since before the coronavirus pandemic in the 2019 campaign.

The Cowboys didn't even have star quarterback Dak Prescott (thumb) in that game.

Jones has become almost synonymous with the Cowboys at this point, and it would have been fairly surprising to see him sell the franchise even before these comments. He removed any doubt with them and is instead focused on trying to put the best possible team on the field.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons said he wasn't going to let an illness keep him from playing in Monday night's 23-16 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

"I'm here to play. I'm here to be great," Parsons told reporters. "I could have a stomach virus. I could be pooping my pants, and I still want to play. I don't want to be held back. I live to play the game. Me at 60 [percent] is better than most people at 100 [percent]. I just wanna play."

The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year played 83 percent of the defensive snaps against the Giants but failed to make his usual high-end impact. He recorded one assisted tackle and two quarterback hits, per Pro Football Reference.

Parsons was listed as questionable going into the Week 3 contest after missing practice Thursday and Friday. He returned to a limited session Saturday.

He posted a GIF from Michael Jordan's famous 1997 Flu Game on Saturday:

pic.twitter.com/WC39fANFrQ

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) September 25, 2022

Although Parsons, who tallied four sacks through the first two games, fell short of his typical impact, the Cowboys defense still played well. The unit held the Giants to just one touchdown and a 3-of-11 mark on third down.

Cowboys defense 🤩! New era!!

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) September 27, 2022

The 23-year-old Penn State product will likely be closer to full strength by the time Dallas (2-1) battles the Washington Commanders (1-2) at AT&T Stadium on Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones raved about quarterback Cooper Rush following the team's 23-16 win over the New York Giants on Monday night.

"He's certainly playing as well as anyone could have expected," Jones said on Shan and RJ on 105.3 The Fan (via The Athletic's Jon Machota). "He understands this offense. He's got the makeup for a top quarterback. We're very fortunate."

You couldn't blame Cowboys fans for thinking the sky was falling when Dak Prescott suffered a thumb injury that meant he'd miss multiple games. His absence exacerbated the sense of unease that grew following an offseason in which Dallas failed to make any major additions.

The team has instead won back-to-back games with Rush as the starter. The 28-year-old went 40-of-62 for 450 yards and two touchdowns across those contests. While he's not tearing up the record books, he's providing exactly what the offense needs.

Cooper Rush is 6th in QBR this season.

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 27, 2022

Will say this: Very impressed by Cowboys QB Cooper Rush. Didn't see this coming during his time with Giants. Played well, made some tight throws Monday night. Was actually let down by his receivers at times. Strong performance

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 27, 2022

If this trend continues, then it could make for a tricky dynamic when Prescott is cleared to return. He's the more experienced and proven quarterback and should immediately climb to the top of the depth chart, yet head coach Mike McCarthy might be loath to mess with a good thing when the offense is humming with Rush.

There's also the matter of Prescott's recovery. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio posited how "seeing Rush play so well—and hearing the boss go on and on about it—won't make Prescott any less anxious."

Dak's a warrior but Cowboys should play out the Cooper Rush string as long as possible to stack wins and let Dak avoid a Russell Wilson situation from last year. https://t.co/qZ5StiaO0x

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 27, 2022

Prescott attempting to get back on the field before he's fully healed won't do anybody any favors.

Of course, all of this apprehension will look foolish if Rush falls back to earth and has a bad start or two. Entering the same company as former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett isn't exactly a great endorsement.

For now, Jones has every reason to be happy with his starting quarterback.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he's aiming to return from a thumb injury for the team's Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 9.

"Nah, probably not," Prescott told Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today on Monday night about whether he'll play next week against the Washington Commanders. "But Week 5 against the Rams? That's the one I'm looking at."

The two-time Pro Bowler suffered the injury during a Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Backup Cooper Rush has since led the Cowboys to victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants.

"I've been better," Prescott told Reyes. "But now that we're winning, it's all good. And I'll be back soon."

Rush has played well during Prescott's absence, completing 47 of his 75 throws (62.7 percent) for 514 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His career record stands at 3-0 after guiding Dallas to a win over the Minnesota Vikings last season.

The Cowboys trailed the Giants 13-6 late in the third quarter Monday night before rattling off 17 straight points, including a touchdown pass from Rush to CeeDee Lamb, to take control of the NFC East clash. They held on to win, 23-16.

"He doesn't get rattled," head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters about Rush. "He's the same, every day. So consistent. He's playing good football right now. I'm glad to recognize him for it. He's giving us the boost to just keep playing on offense."

While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has suggested a quarterback controversy is possible if Rush continues to impress, it's hard to imagine that actually coming to fruition given Prescott's track record.

Last season, the 29-year-old Mississippi State product ranked fourth in completion percentage (68.8), tied for fourth in touchdown passes (37) and seventh in passing yards (4,449).

He also signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in 2021. Benching him in favor of a sixth-year veteran with three career starts would be the boldest of moves.

So Prescott is a virtual lock to reclaim the starting job once medically cleared, and he told Reyes he's eager for that moment to arrive.

"Some people are OK with [sitting out], but I'm not built that way," he said. "It's f--king killing me not being out there with my guys. It's so hard, but I also know I got to be patient."

That said, the Cowboys can be confident the offense remains in Rush's capable hands until Prescott returns, whether it's against the Rams or a little more down the line.

Dallas will look to push its winning streak to three when it hosts Washington at AT&T Stadium on Sunday.

The chants of "Free Tony Pollard" will grow louder with each passing week.

The Dallas Cowboys running back is on the verge of stardom as a breakout performer. The only thing preventing the fourth-year ball-carrier from completing the jump is the organization's insistence on keeping Ezekiel Elliott (with his ridiculous contract) as the starting back.

It's clear who the more explosive and effective runner is.

During Monday's 23-16 victory over the New York Giants, Pollard carried the ball 13 times for 105 yards, or an impressive 8.1 yards per attempt. Comparatively, Elliott toted the rock 15 times for 73 yards, or 4.9 yards per carry.

The performance indicated a changing of the guard—no, not Jason Peters taking over next to Tyler Smith, though that should happen sooner rather than later, too—could commence in the backfield.

Dallas' reliance on Elliott is understandable based on his previous production and his financial status. The 2016 No. 4 draft pick is a three-time Pro Bowl selection with four 1,000-yard campaigns. He's only 27 years old, so he has yet to hit the point in his career when his performance hangs in the air like Wile E. Coyote before falling off a cliff. Elliott is also the game's highest-paid back with an $18.2 million salary-cap charge.

Return on investment is important. Winning games is even more so.

The Cowboys are 2-1 with upcoming contests against the rival Washington Commanders, reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and NFC East-leading and undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.

To fully unlock the offense, Pollard must become a bigger part of it. Coordinator Kellen Moore knows this, too.

"We certainly want those guys to get touches, and it's a matter of finding those different roles," Moore said of Elliott and Pollard two weeks before the regular season began. "Both of them we want to get creative with, get them on the field at the same time. And then obviously when one guy is down, the other guy is in there contributing. So, I think it will be a fun task for us to kind of pair those guys up and be creative with how we can utilize them in different positions and find opportunities for success."

Yet the coaches called Pollard's number only 15 times through two contests. He did add six receptions. A significant occurrence came late in Monday's contest, even though Elliott still managed more carries.

During the Cowboys' penultimate offensive drive, when they needed a first down or two to secure victory, Pollard opened the series behind quarterback Cooper Rush. He immediately gained 15 yards on three snaps before Elliott rotated back in.

Pollard isn't seen as a physical closer. Elliott said as much.

"His elusivity, his explosiveness. I think I go in and pound them a little bit," he said. "Then he goes in there and is going to break some long ones."

The 6'0", 209-pounder is deserving of the explosive designation because he is. Last season, Pollard posted one more run of 20 or more yards than Elliott despite 107 fewer carries. The Memphis product is a slasher with plenty of juice when he bursts through the hole. But he isn't simply a change-of-pace back. Pollard is capable of carrying a more significant workload.

As ESPN's Mina Kimes noted, Pollard ranked third last year in yards after contact when running up the middle. Coming into this year, he ranked fourth in missed tackle rate per touch since 2019, per Pro Football Focus. The 25-year-old presents a blend of underappreciated power and excellent balance to offset his slighter frame.

Part of the reason why Pollard isn't a traditional 220-plus-pound thumper is because of his background. He bounced between running back and wide receiver during his time with the Tigers. His natural fluidity in route running, including his work in space, makes him a significant weapon, if properly utilized.

"He's not going to run [just] the running back route tree, the quick game and just kind of the completion plays," Moore said. "He can stretch people vertically, and I think that will be a huge advantage for him to put people in conflict of how they want to handle him."

The Cowboys have yet to utilize this aspect of his skill set, though.

Last season, Pollard finished sixth on the team with 39 catches—a respectable number but one that can grow with expanded usage. Zero Monday wasn't exactly inspiring. Dallas has an opportunity to deploy Elliott and Pollard at the same time, but the staff has failed to get creative with personnel packages. Moore can use them in a split-back scenario with Elliott in the backfield and Pollard in the slot or vice versa.

Dallas' depth at wide receiver is questionable with Michael Gallup yet to return and James Washington on injured reserve. The coaching staff should be doing everything in its power to get the team's best players on the field as much as possible. Pollard's snap count must increase in the coming weeks to further help Rush and eventually Dak Prescott.

A switch in roles between the two backs could help both as well as the team.

Elliott's rushing yards per game have declined in each of the last five seasons. Through three games, his production is shy of last year's pace. The seventh-year runner already has 1,690 carries on his body, and the wear and tear show over time.

If Pollard becomes the lead back, Elliott can benefit from fewer touches and maximize his opportunities when on the field. A similar setup occurred when the New Orleans Saints had Mark Ingram II and Alvin Kamara. After one season, the two flipped roles with Kamara getting the spotlight and Ingram serving as the hammer. Dallas should follow this blueprint.

Egos and money always get in the way. This can't happen with Dallas off to a strong start despite injuries at multiple key positions. Winning cures all. Elliott taking a back seat to Pollard wouldn't be a negative. It's the right thing for the Cowboys to do.

---

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence had a huge game in Monday's win over the New York Giants, and he took a victory lap on social media.

After finishing with six tackles and three sacks, Lawrence took to Twitter to troll Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James for his praise of Giants running back Saquon Barkley:

L https://t.co/TsS44siSlk

— DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) September 27, 2022

James expressed his excitement after Barkley broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, which gave the Giants a 13-6 lead. But the Cowboys quickly erased the deficit and rattled off 17 straight points to put the game away.

Dallas will return to action Sunday with another NFC East matchup, this time against the Washington Commanders.