Dak Prescott jogged off the field at U.S. Bank Stadium after a 38-minute pregame workout Sunday. The extensive warmup didn\u2019t change the Cowboys\u2019 \u2026<\/b>
\nDak Prescott jogged off the field at U.S. Bank Stadium after a 38-minute pregame workout Sunday. The extensive warmup didn\u2019t change the Cowboys\u2019 reality: Dallas will face the Vikings on \u00ab\u00a0Sunday Night Football\u00a0\u00bb without their starting quarterback. Prescott is inactive, the team confirmed 90 minutes before kickoff. Fifth-year pro Cooper Rush, who has attempted three passes in his entire career, will instead make his first NFL start. The Cowboys first signed Rush in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan. He spent three years as Prescott\u2019s backup, rejoining the team last year after Prescott\u2019s injury. He knows the system and his teammates closely, but has scant regular-season experience. Rush has attempted just three passes in his NFL career, completing one in a 2017 contest. He rushed twice in that contest for 13 yards. Teammates and coaches express confidence in what Rush could do surrounded by weapons and protected by what Pro Football Focus ranks as the league\u2019s top offensive line. Even so, he\u2019s far from demonstrated Prescott\u2019s acumen. Prescott led the Cowboys to five straight wins and has completed 73.1% of his passes for 1,813 yards,16 touchdowns and four interceptions. Prescott\u2019s availability for the \u00ab\u00a0Sunday Night Football\u00a0\u00bb contest was in doubt two weeks after he strained his calf. The quarterback was limited in practices this week coming off the bye, and the 5-1 Cowboys\u2019 cushioned NFC East led further strengthened the cause for caution. Another lingering concern: the calf strain\u2019s connection to Prescott\u2019s 2020 compound fracture and dislocation of his ankle\u2014both injuries on the lower right leg. Then came warmups on the U.S. Bank Stadium turf, Prescott cycling through footwork without visible mobility restrictions. But this decision wasn\u2019t Prescott\u2019s alone, nor was it about how his play looked. Super Bowl hopes float through the Star, and the quarterback\u2019s long-term availability was deemed more important than a Week 8 win. \u201cThere\u2019s no question he\u2019s going to be the most pro person on the planet to play,\u201d Cowboys owner\/general manager Jerry Jones said of Prescott\u2019s desire to compete. \u201cI think he\u2019s aware of what\u2019s at stake here and what\u2019s the future.\u201d Veteran journeyman Will Grier, whom Dallas claimed off waivers this fall, will back up Rush. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott expressed confidence in Rush\u2019s poise and play. \u201cHe is a baller,\u201d Elliott said. \u201cHe knows this offense, he is confident and he can play. \u201cIf his number is called, he will be ready.\u201d The Cowboys enter Minnesota averaging a league-best 34.2 points and 460.8 yards per game.<\/p>\n