Is Cooper Rush playing today? Latest updates for Cowboys QB

The Dallas Cowboys' Week 12 win galvanized a previously-apathetic fan base. While the playoffs remain a long shot, things could get interesting if Dallas improves to 5-7 with a win on Thanksgiving over the pitiful New York Giants.

While Dallas' defense may have turned a corner, Cooper Rush's performance this past Sunday is perhaps the biggest reason fans have started to buy back in. Many were champing at the bit to see Trey Lance, but it is now clear that Rush gives the Cowboys the best chance to win.

That's why it is imperative Rush starts on Thanksgiving, but his status seemed murky after he popped up on the injury report with a knee injury. It's unclear when Rush suffered the injury, but he has taken a plethora of hits in his three starts since Dak Prescott got injured.

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Rush was a limited participant on Monday and Tuesday. That only raised concerns, but the 31-year-old left no doubt about his status on Wednesday when he caught up with NFL Network insider Jane Slater.

Cowboys QB Cooper Rush will play on Thanksgiving vs. the Giants

That is a huge sigh of relief for the Cowboys.

That Rush was a limited participant in practice was likely more about rest and management than anything else. Again, he has taken some massive hits since taking over for Prescott. It is massive that Rush is only dealing with soreness and not a sprain or some kind of cartilage injury.

Sunday's win over the Commanders looked a lot like the recipe when Rush went 4-1 in five starts during the 2022 season. The defense played outstanding for three quarters, the rushing attack kept Washington honest and Rush took what the defense gave him.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Rush's performance is that he tried to push the ball downfield. He averaged 7.7 yards per attempt in Week 12 compared to 4.6 against Atlanta, 2.0 against the Eagles and 6.4 against Houston, respectively.

Some throws were dicey and almost got picked off, but mostly good things happened when he threw beyond the sticks. He connected with Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard completion and baited Washington into a couple pass interference penalties.

Just as important is that Rush got CeeDee Lamb involved. That's a testament to Mike McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer as well, but Lamb caught 10 of 12 targets for 67 yards. You would like to see more than a 3.8 average depth of target for the All-Pro, but 12 targets is a perfect happy medium.

With Rush good to go, Lamb should have a feast fit for a superstar on Thanksgiving.

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