Inside The Vikings

Vikings-Cowboys Inactives: Dak Prescott Out, Cooper Rush Will Start

The Vikings catch a huge break with Dak Prescott missing tonight's primetime matchup.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings-Cowboys Inactives: Dak Prescott Out, Cooper Rush Will Start
Vikings-Cowboys Inactives: Dak Prescott Out, Cooper Rush Will Start

Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott is officially inactive for tonight's game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Backup Cooper Rush will make his first career start in primetime and will attempt his first NFL passes since going 1 for 3 in 2017, and Will Grier will serve as his backup.

Prescott suffered a calf strain on the final play of the Cowboys' victory over the Patriots two weeks ago. He had two weeks to heal because Dallas had a bye last week, but the team is going to be cautious with their most important player. 

The Cowboys put Prescott through a rigorous on-field workout prior to making the final call on his status for tonight's game, and he looked fine. But the workout apparently "did nothing to change expectations," per ESPN's Chris Mortensen. With a lot of season left, this is the safe play for the 5-1 Cowboys.

It's a huge break for Minnesota. Prescott is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, while Rush is an unproven backup who wasn't even particularly good at Central Michigan. Yes, the Vikings have had some trouble with backup QBs in recent years, but that doesn't change the fact that Rush is a much easier matchup for Mike Zimmer's defense than Prescott would've been.

The Vikings need this win, and they'll take it however they can get it.

Here's the list of Vikings inactives:

We already knew Michael Pierce was out for a third straight game with his elbow injury. Armon Watts will get another start in his place. Also out due to injury are Dede Westbrook (ankle) and Patrick Jones II (knee). Ihmir Smith-Marsette will presumably replace Westbrook as the No. 4 receiver, and Kenny Willekes will see a handful of snaps as the No. 4 defensive end. Willekes and tight end Luke Stocker were elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.

The Vikings will also need a new punt returner with Westbrook out. K.J. Osborn would seem to be the logical choice there.

Prescott is the only notable inactive for Dallas.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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