Jerry Jones: Cowboys QB Cooper Rush 'exceeded my expectations'

Cowboys backup QB Cooper Rush's performance in a 20-17 upset of the Bengals on Sunday gave Dallas owner Jerry Jones a jolt of confidence.

“He exceeded my expectations,” Jones said after the game, adding, “I thought his passing was outstanding.”

Rush went 19-for-31 for 235 yards and threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Noah Brown. He also engineered a late drive that resulted in Brett Maher’s winning field goal.

Rush’s composure seemed to inspire the Cowboys, who played horribly on offense in a Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay. Against the Bengals, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb caught seven passes for 75 yards, and Brown led the team in receiving with 91 yards. 

“That was a big tonic for the disappointment last week,” Jones said.

Rush credited the Cowboys' offensive arsenal for his strong performance in his second career start.

“Fortunately, I have a very good football team,” Rush said.

Jones said he hopes starter Dak Prescott returns soon, but his trust in Rush grew after the victory. Prescott, out with an injured right thumb, could return by Week 4.

“I certainly would look to hope that (Prescott) just might be available, but this performance out here today by Rush sure takes a lot of the angst out of that,” Jones said.  

Unsurprisingly, Cowboys fanboy Skip Bayless thinks Rush’s strong play will continue. 

“He’s absolutely fearless, poised and he knows the system just as good as Dak,” Bayless said Monday on FS1’s Undisputed.