FRISCO, Texas — Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, more lineup changes have been made for the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas will now be on their fourth quarterback this season entering week nine. The staff is still undecided in whether Cooper Rush or Garrett Gilbert will be lining up under center against the Steelers, but Mike McCarthy confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that “with the opponent that we’re playing, we need some more experience at that position.”
Seventh round pick Ben DiNucci made his NFL debut against the Eagles completing 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards and two fumbles, and it will be his last for the foreseeable future.
After being on concussion protocol last week, Andy Dalton was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week and the revolving door at QB continues.
Rush and Gilbert have had little playing time at the pro level with three pass attempts each but have been in the league several years as opposed to Ben being in his rookie season as a backup. The Cowboys’ signed Gilbert off the Browns’ practice squad last month following Dak Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury.
Rush is familiar with Dallas’ offensive system and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, having been the backup for Prescott from 2017-2019. He was released in May after the organization signed a one-year deal with nine-year Bengals’ starting QB, Dalton. Once the depth chart dwindled and Dalton was placed on concussion protocol, Dallas signed Rush on Friday to the practice squad.
McCarthy noted he would like to have the decision finalized by Saturday on who is starting at quarterback. Described the main determining factor/focus will be to “manage the huddle and the play call at the line of scrimmage.”
In addition, punter Chris Jones will undergo surgery on Thursday and is headed to injured reserve. McCarthy said he will have “core muscle surgery” and the timeline is a “multi-week” situation.
That means Hunter Niswander will prepare to start on Sunday. He is the next man up after being signed to the club’s practice squad last week.
