Feel the Rush: Cowboys win with backup QB
The Dallas Cowboys took their decision on Dak Prescott all the way up to the last hours before the game, ultimately opting for a dose of midseason caution with his strained right calf muscle and keeping their franchise quarterback on the sideline.
Cooper Rush made it clear why that was the wise move.
Rush’s first NFL start produced a statement win for the surging Cowboys, as the fifth-year backup passed for 325 yards and two second-half touchdowns to lead a 20-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night on the road in the league’s showcase game on national television.
“It wasn’t crazy. I felt like I belonged out there,” said Rush, who went undrafted out of Central Michigan in 2017 and had appeared in only six games in mop-up duty in his career to date with only three attempted passes.
With 51 seconds left, Rush calmly threw a 5yard fade to Amari Cooper in the corner of the end zone to give the Cowboys their first lead of the game.
Prescott, who was hurt on the touchdown throw to beat New England in overtime on Oct. 17, had the bye week to rest and pushed hard to play – but the choice was not his to make. The Cowboys endured a painful 11 games without him last season after he broke and dislocated his right ankle. After giving him a new $160 million contract earlier this year, they’re determined not to let this soft tissue issue last longer than it needs to.
The Cowboys (6-1) have won six straight games and play Denver (4-4) and Atlanta (3-4) at home the next two weeks.
Rams-Broncos trade: The Los Angeles Rams, never hesitant about going all in when a Super Bowl run is possible, made another big move Monday by trading for eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller.
The Rams sent a secondand third-round pick in the 2022 draft to the Denver Broncos for Miller, who joins a Rams defense that includes star lineman Aaron Donald, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey and edge rusher Leonard Floyd, who have helped lead the Rams to a 7-1 record going into Sunday’s game against the
Tennessee Titans.
Titans lose Henry: NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry will have surgery Tuesday morning on his right foot, and coach Mike Vrabel says the Tennessee Titans are not putting a timeline on when he will return.
Henry had tests Monday to check the severity of the injury after he finished a 34-31 overtime win in Indianapolis. The Titans placed Henry on injured reserve Monday afternoon.
Vrabel said he knows Henry will do everything possible to work himself back to help the Titans (6-2). Vrabel said doctors will put a timeline on Henry’s recovery and possible return but he won’t necessarily listen to that.
The Titans have nine games remaining this season. The defending AFC South champs hold a three-game lead and the tiebreaker inside their division.
Henry leads the NFL with 937 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. He also has a league-high 219 rushes, well ahead of the next leading rusher Joe Mixon of Cincinnati (137), and is the biggest reason why the Titans are currently the No. 1 seed in the AFC.