Cowboys to start QB Cooper Rush in preseason finale vs. Jaguars

The Dallas Cowboys end the preseason portion of the calendar against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and will sit starting quarterback Dak Prescott as he works to recover from the right latissimus strain he first suffered in late July. 

According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy announced Monday that Cooper Rush is getting first-team reps this week and will start against Jacksonville. 

"He’s earned this opportunity," McCarthy said of Rush. 

Rush saw action in Saturday's 20-14 loss to the Houston Texans, completing 10-of-12 passes for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He finished the contest with a team-high 139.9 passer rating. Interestingly, Rush is currently listed fourth on the club's unofficial depth chart behind Prescott, Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci.

"Cooper lives here year round," McCarthy added about his temporary QB1. "He has been here every day throughout the offseason. He is super intelligent. He has a great understanding. He knows the ropes around here. He has a history in the offense. That is the point I am making. And he was always prepared for his opportunity. He fought through two injuries — both the shoulder and the back. I thought he played well against Houston."

Dallas begins the regular season at the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9. Prescott said last week he expects to start that contest.