Sensing the need for a veteran on the field to face the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is making another change at quarterback.
McCarthy plans to use Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush as his starting quarterback in Week 9, with the decision coming down to how well they perform in preparation this week.
“We need more experience,” McCarthy said on Wednesday, underlining his concern about seventh-round rookie Ben DiNucci being put in the line of fire against Pittsburgh’s attacking 3-4 defense.
DiNucci started last week in a Sunday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with Andy Dalton (concussion) out. Dalton started two games after Dak Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury.
Gilbert was active as the No. 2 quarterback against the Eagles. Rush has been in the system longer and specifically worked with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as Prescott’s backup from 2017-2019.
Dalton is out this week due to a positive COVID-19 test.