Cooper Rush understood the project. His job was to take the helm for the Dallas Cowboys and play properly sufficient to defeat the Minnesota Vikings on the highway, minimizing his errors and making well timed performs after they introduced themselves, as soon as it was decided forward of kickoff that Dak Prescott would relaxation his strained proper calf. Rush’s first profession NFL begin was a combined bag that noticed his second half of soccer overcome a poor first half — aided by the regular hand of high-profile gamers like Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott — en path to a 20-16 victory that places the Cowboys at 6-1 on the season.

And with that roll of the cube having paid off for Dallas, they flip their consideration again to Prescott, who was bodily able to taking part in towards the Vikings and who wished to, however whose vote was vetoed by head coach Mike McCarthy and the staff’s entrance workplace. So what is the plan this week for the two-time Professional Bowler after touchdown an additional week of relaxation following the Cowboys’ bye?

It is for Prescott to get again to commonly scheduled programming.

“We cannot be within the full slate of the workload on a Wednesday apply [because we had a Sunday night game], however I search for him to take part in that, and every thing goes regular and I might assume he could be full go on Thursday,” mentioned head coach Mike McCarthy on Monday.

It is a sentiment echoed on Tuesday by proprietor Jerry Jones.

“We have now each motive to assume that he is on go,” mentioned the Corridor of Fame proprietor. “And he needs to be prepared. … We have now each motive to imagine he’ll be on the sector this week.”

That is music to Prescott’s ears, having labored the final two weeks to be prepared for the Vikings — as much as and thru pregame drills at U.S. Financial institution Stadium — earlier than being informed he’d sit.

“I had a plan all week, making an attempt to progress and get myself on the market,” Prescott informed media following the win in Minnesota. “We made a name on the finish of getting an opportunity to return out with a win, with out me taking part in, and be capable to get wholesome and never have one thing re-injure and linger previous this week.”

It was a large gambit that paid off for the Cowboys, and Prescott could not be happier for Rush — his longtime backup [mostly] since 2017. After the sport, Prescott was seen barreling down the tunnel on his rested calf to present Rush a bear hug after a powerful first profession begin.

“That is what this staff is about. Attempting to help all people and each a part of this staff, from no matter avenue that’s,” mentioned Prescott. “For me, it was nearly specializing in being the starter, doing what I usually do, going by way of that very same routine all week lengthy. If I did not get that decision, I used to be going to have the ability to flip it straightforward and provides it to Coop and assist him out.”

” … I assumed he was OK throughout the sport. There wasn’t a second I assumed he was too excessive or nervous or rattled. That is Coop. He is very gentle tempered and at all times that method — by no means too excessive or too low. 

“It confirmed tonight. It allowed him to remain in there, follow it, stick by way of some unhealthy performs and are available out and make some nice performs to win the sport that we wanted within the fourth quarter.”

With Rush having turned in his take a look at and landed a passing grade, the Cowboys valedictorian at quarterback sounds as able to get again onto the sector as he’s pleased with what his understudy was capable of obtain.

“For positive [returning in Week 9 is on the table],” mentioned Prescott. “I used to be getting ready to play this sport. I am a man that takes it day-by-day, moment-at-moment, and proper now, I will rejoice this win with the blokes and fear about rehabbing and getting every thing again so as tomorrow.”