Report: Latest on Dak Prescott calf injury following week 8 inactive

The Dallas Cowboys held star quarterback Dak Prescott out for Sunday night’s game versus the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, Cooper Rush got his first NFL start and led the team to a 20-16 win. The Cowboys, now 6-1, will most likely have Prescott back on Sunday afternoon versus the Denver Broncos, according to reports.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport said after the game on Sunday night that Dak Prescott was “really, really close” to playing.

“The Cowboys weren’t going to put him in harm’s way at all,” Rapaport said. “With any pain, he was not going to play, but he was really close.”

The optimism coming from the Cowboys facility last week indicated that he was going to play versus the Vikings. However, on the practice field, backup Cooper Rush continued taking the bulk of the reps.

Prescott’s health has been a major concern for the Cowboys, especially since last year. The quarterback suffered a season-ending ankle injury as Dallas missed the playoffs. This year, they look like the clear favorite to win the NFC East and return to the postseason.

The sixth-year pro has thrown for 1,813 yards and 16 touchdowns, which was tied for third-most in the NFL at the end of Week 6.

The Cowboys’ only loss this year comes against defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay and Tom Brady. They still lost by a mere two points as Prescott finished with 403 yards and three touchdowns in that one.

Dak Prescott is currently in second in the NFL MVP odds race. Vegas has him at +400 behind Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray at +350.

Prescott sits, Cooper seals win over Vikings

The Dallas Cowboys won against the Minnesota Vikings with an incredible touchdown catch by Amari Cooper from backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Amari Cooper ran a fade route to the back corner of the end zone and Rush delivered a perfect ball over the defense that Cooper was able to snag.

After a drive featuring two huge completions by Amari Cooper to move the ball downfield, Rush found Cooper in the back of the end zone for the big finish. Rush filled in for Dak Prescott after the Cowboys’ star was ruled out with a calf injury, and won the game in his first career start in the NFL.

Cooper Rush ended the night with 325 yards and two touchdowns, while Amari Cooper was responsible for 122 yards and one of their touchdown catches.