Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy’s latest decision at quarterback will likely not sit well with disgruntled fans.

On Sunday, the Cowboys gave signal-caller Cooper Rush the starting reins in the absence of Dak Prescott, who was sidelined for the contest and is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his partially torn hamstring. The 30-year-old did little to impress against the Philadelphia Eagles’ stout defense, completing 13-of-23 passes for 45 yards, no touchdowns, and two fumbles in a 34-6 loss.

In an attempt to provide a spark to the Cowboys lackluster offense, McCarthy momentarily turned to backup Trey Lance in the third quarter – only to bench him midway through the drive for Rush, who proceeded to fumble the ball after being sacked for eight yards. The former first-round draft pick returned to the field to close out the game, finishing the contest with 21 yards and an interception.

Taking to social media, fans struggled to comprehend why the Cowboys gave Lance such a short leash in a blowout defeat. “Bringing in Trey Lance to run the ball twice and then take him out on throwing down only for Cooper Rush to fumble encapsulates the Dallas Cowboys for the last 30 years,” one X user wrote.

Another added: “Wait, so the Cowboys yanked Cooper Rush, put Trey Lance in for a few plays, put Rush back in, and Rush fumbled the ball away deep in his own territory? Do I have that right? Did I just see that happen with my own two eyes?”

Speaking to reporters on Monday, McCarthy confirmed that Rush would remain the starting quarterback for the Cowboys’ Week 11 matchup against the Houston Texans on ‘Monday Night Football.’ Dallas will, however, look to add a third quarterback to the roster in the near future.

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Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to undergo season-ending surgery

Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to undergo season-ending surgery ( 

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“We have a lot of faith in Cooper Rush,” McCarthy said. “Everybody believes in him. How could you not considering how he has performed.”

Back in 2022, Rush shined in relief of Prescott while the star quarterback recovered from a thumb injury he sustained in Week 1. Over five starts that season, he completed 83-of-143 passes for 956 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions en route to commanding the Cowboys to a 4-1 record.

In the leadup to Sunday’s game, McCarthy asserted that he was impressed by what he’d seen from Rush throughout the week of practice. “Cooper’s been great in getting Dak ready to play, and now Dak, they’ll be some role reversal there,” he said at the time.

“[Rush’s] temperament is excellent. I would say he’s as even-keeled as an individual, especially a quarterback, that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Cerebral. Smart. He gives you the flexibility to continue to play.

“I think that’s what you want in all your quarterbacks. You don’t want to get to a spot where you have to change a bunch of things offensively because who’s behind center.”