America loves an underdog story, but America’s team doesn’t seem too keen on writing one.
Trey Lance — the former third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, whom the Cowboys acquired from the 49ers some 15 months ago — will not start in place of injured franchise quarterback Dak Prescott this Sunday.
Instead, Cooper Rush, the 30-year-old veteran backup who has spent his whole career backing up Prescott, will start under center when the Cowboys (3-5) face off against their divisional rival Eagles (6-2).
With Prescott headed to the IR, per ESPN, potentially done for the season, one would think Lance gets his shot.
The idea was, should Dak Prescott ever be unavailable, Lance could be their answer. Right?
Wrong, apparently.
“It’s Cooper [Rush’s] opportunity,” head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday — even if Lance says he’s ready to go.
“Last year was a whole different story, I feel prepared…” Lance told reporters the same day. “I feel I’m in a really good spot right now, having a full year [with the Cowboys’ offense] under my belt.”
During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Lance would see the field on Sunday, but only after and behind Rush.
“Oh, there is a window for Trey Lance, there are packages we can work on,” Jones said. “Let me be clear, that’s just not to get Lance some playing time, that’s to bring to the table some offense for us … He’s a big threat with his legs.”
If he’s a big threat with his legs, Cowboys fans would like to see it.
If there’s a glimmer of hope for the future of the 24-year-old — now pegged by some as one of the biggest busts in recent history — the league would like to see it.
How much is left worth seeing among a dizzying Dallas team that had the ninth-best championship odds at the beginning of the season?
If Lance isn’t playing now, it’s unclear when he’d ever get the chance in Dallas.
