Cowboys should consider playing QB Trey Lance in Dak Prescott's absence

Prescott missed Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the 34-6 loss, Dallas backup QB Cooper Rush started, finishing 13-of-23 passing for 45 yards. Lance replaced Rush in the fourth quarter, completing 4-of-6 passes for 21 yards and one interception.  

Per The Athletic's Jon Machota, Jones said the Cowboys will have packages for Lance, but Rush will start in Week 11 against the Houston Texans at home. The owner added that Rush still gives them the "best chance" to win, and his performance against the Eagles was "out of character."

"He was not the Cooper Rush we know. A lot of things went wrong for us out there (Sunday). He can play better than that," Jones said.  

Playing Rush — who has a 5-2 record as a starter in seven seasons with Dallas — would make more sense if the Cowboys were still in the playoff hunt. However, their postseason odds are slim after a 3-6 start. 

As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index lists the Cowboys playoff chances at 0.8 percent. 

Lance — whom the Cowboys traded a fourth-rounder for in 2023 — struggled in his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In eight games, the 2021 No. 3 overall pick completed a below-average 54.9 percent of his passes for five TDs and three interceptions, going 2-2 as a starter.

Still, that's a small sample size, and the 24-year-old may have upside. 

"Lance may be unrefined, but he has the athletic tools to do some things on a football field that neither Rush nor Prescott can do at 31," wrote CBS Sports' Garrett Podell in a recent column. "See his 46-yard touchdown run against the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 preseason finale as Exhibit A."

The Cowboys should focus on their future. Playing Lance — who's in the last year of his rookie contract — could be the best way to determine whether he should be in their plans.