Which Dallas Cowboys quarterback doesn’t make the 53-man roster?

The Dallas Cowboys are getting ready for their second preseason game on Friday against the Arizona Cardinals. With quarterback Dak Prescott out once again with a shoulder strain, this gives Dallas’ other quarterbacks an opportunity to prove themselves.

The Cowboys currently have four quarterbacks on their roster, Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert, and Ben DiNucci. However, they likely won’t all make the roster, so at least one player will not make it.

Prescott is an obvious lock to make the roster, so that leaves Rush, Gilbert, and DiNucci as possible quarterbacks who could be cut. All three quarterbacks did get action in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gilbert started the game for the Dallas Cowboys and played the whole first quarter. The former SMU star played two drives completing 9/13 passes for 104 yards. In both of his drives, he led the Cowboys down the field.

Then, Rush took over in the second quarter and played the remainder of the half. The 27-year-old quarterback also played two drives completing 8/13 passes for 70 yards. Both of his drives ended in Dallas miscues, a fumble, and a missed field goal.

Finally, the former seventh-round pick, Ben DiNucci, finished off the game and played the third and fourth quarters. In six drives, the 6-foot-2 quarterback completed 7/17 passes for 89 yards and an interception.

With all three of these quarterbacks playing in Dallas’ first preseason game, it was somewhat telling as to the Cowboys’ approach to this situation. Gilbert probably has a solid chance to be the backup. He started their first preseason game on Thursday and has been working with the first unit in training camp while Prescott is recovering from his injury.

The 6-foot-4 quarterback started one game last season and almost helped Dallas pull off the upset against the Steelers. In that game, Gilbert completed 21/38 passes for 243 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, and added 28 yards on the ground. It would likely be a complete shock if he didn’t make the final roster.

Will Cooper Rush or Ben DiNucci make the Dallas Cowboys’ roster cut?

So now it possibly leaves Cooper Rush and Ben DiNucci competing for that third-string spot. Nonetheless, the Dallas Cowboys could decide to leave both quarterbacks off the initial 53-man roster. Although it is highly unlikely that Dallas does this, it is a possibility.

Last season, quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton, and Ben DiNucci all made the 53-man roster after training camp. So, expect the Cowboys to keep three quarterbacks as well for this season.

According to ESPN, they list Cooper Rush as the fourth-string quarterback meaning that he would be the odd man out. However, things could be pointing to DiNucci starting the season on the practice squad.

DiNucci didn’t look too hot in his one start last season and in his preseason debut last week. In Week 8 of the 2020 season against the Philadelphia Eagles, the former James Madison star completed just 52.5 percent of his passes for 180 yards and lost two fumbles.

The young quarterback is just getting his career going but could be left off the roster due to Rush’s experience with the team. He was with Dallas from 2017-2019 before spending a short time on the New York Giants practice squad. Now, the former Central Michigan alum is back with the Dallas Cowboys.

Rush was the backup to Prescott from 2017-2019 and could see himself in the same role in 2021. Even though he has completed just one pass in his short four-year career, he hasn’t gotten any opportunities to prove himself.

With Rush’s former experience in backing up Prescott, all signs likely point to him making the roster and being the third-string quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Either way, both players will need to prove it in their remaining preseason games.