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Cooper Rush

Cooper Robert Rush (born November 21, 1993) is an American professional football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas, and was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Cooper Rush
refer to caption
Rush with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019
No. 10 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1993-11-21) November 21, 1993 (age 31)
Charlotte, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Lansing Catholic
(Lansing, Michigan)
College:Central Michigan (2012–2016)
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2024
Passing attempts:516
Passing completions:315
Completion percentage:61.0%
TD–INT:19–8
Passing yards:3,316
Passer rating:85.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Originally from Charlotte, Michigan, Rush attended Lansing Catholic High School in Lansing, Michigan, with an enrollment of just over 500 students, where he became a three-year starter at quarterback for the football team.[1] Rush also played basketball and baseball (until his freshman year).

In 2010 and 2011, Rush led his team to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. In 2011, Rush led his team to the state runner-up title. In the Division 5 regional championship game against Dowagiac Union High School, he set Michigan state records with five touchdown passes in one quarter and eight for the game. The team would end up losing in the finals against Powers Catholic High School 56–26, even though he registered 300 passing yards and three touchdowns.

As a senior, Rush received All-State, Associated Press' Michigan Division 5/6 Player of the Year and ESPN's Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

Rush finished his high school career throwing for 7,248 passing yards (455-for-734, 62 percent), 80 passing touchdowns, 1,438 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns.[2] A three-star recruit, Rush only received scholarship offers from Central Michigan and Toledo, but received preferred walk-on offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Western Michigan.[3]

College career

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In his redshirt season at Central Michigan, Rush was named the school's Scout Team Player of the Year.

As a freshman, although he began the season as the third-string quarterback, Rush was named the starter by the third game, after Cody Kater was injured (collarbone fracture) and his backup Alex Niznak could not move the offense against the New Hampshire Wildcats. In that contest, Rush came in the second quarter and helped engineer a 24–21 comeback victory, where he tallied 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, tying the school record for the longest in history (97 yards).[4] Rush would never relinquish the position or miss a start after the game.

As a sophomore, Rush played in the 2014 Bahamas Bowl against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. By the middle of the third quarter, his team had fallen behind 49–14, but scored four unanswered touchdowns and were down by only seven points near the end of the fourth quarter. With one second remaining on the contest, Central Michigan had the ball on their own 25 yard line. The would-be final play started with a 45-yard Hail Mary pass from Rush to wide receiver Jesse Kroll. As Kroll was being tackled he lateraled the ball to teammate Deon Butler, who ran 20 yards before lateraling to Courtney Williams. With no space to run, Williams made a quick third lateral pass to leading receiver Titus Davis who ran the final 13 yards, scoring a touchdown that would have tied the game with a kicked extra point and sent the game into overtime, but instead Central Michigan attempted a two-point conversion for the win, which was unsuccessful.[5][6] Had the try succeeded, it would have marked the largest comeback in bowl history and tied the largest comeback in any Division I game. Rush's seven touchdown passes set an all-time record for all bowl games.[7]

Rush's best season came as a junior in 2015. Through the first 13 games, he had 3,703 passing yards, which was a new school single-season record.[8] Rush completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,848 total passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.[9]

 
Rush in January 2017

As a senior, Rush's production dropped to 3,540 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, but with 16 interceptions and a low 59.8 completion percentage.[10] Against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the game sparked controversy after the officials made an incorrect call that would eventually give Central Michigan the win. Oklahoma State threw the ball away to end the game and received a penalty for intentional grounding. Under college football rules, the game would have ended and Oklahoma State would have won the game. However, the officials gave Central Michigan an untimed down, and Rush threw a 51-yard Hail Mary pass to Kroll, who made a lateral to fellow receiver Corey Willis at the 12-yard line, running for a touchdown with no time remaining for a 30–27 victory.[11][12] The team lost 55–10 to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl at the end of the season.[13]

Rush finished his college career with 49 straight starts, 12,894 passing yards (12 yards short of Dan LeFevour's school and conference record) and 90 touchdowns.[14]

College statistics

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Central Michigan Chippewas
Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD INT Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2012 Redshirt  Redshirt
2013 11 10 5–5 177 312 56.7 2,349 7.5 15 15 126.2 38 -84 -2.2 1
2014 13 13 7–6 243 382 63.6 3,157 8.3 27 13 149.6 46 -51 -1.1 0
2015 13 13 7–6 324 489 66.3 3,848 7.9 25 11 144.7 63 48 0.8 3
2016 13 13 6–7 278 465 59.8 3,540 7.6 23 16 133.2 68 -21 -0.3 1
Career 50 49 25–24 1,022 1,648 62.0 12,894 7.8 90 55 139.1 215 -108 -0.5 5

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Coming out of Central Michigan, Rush was projected by the majority of NFL draft experts and analysts to be a seventh round pick or a priority undrafted free agent. On December 6, 2016, it was announced that Rush had accepted his invitation to the East–West Shrine Game. On January 21, 2017, Rush performed in the East–West Shrine Game for the East and completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 97 yards in a 10–3 loss to the West.

Rush received an invitation to the NFL Combine and performed almost all of the required drills except for the bench press. He had an underwhelming lackluster performance and had some of the lowest marks at the combine.[15] On March 20, 2017, Rush participated at Central Michigan's pro day and chose to attempt the vertical jump, broad jump, short shuttle, and three-cone drill once again. He gave a slower time in the three-cone drill (7.28), but was able to have better results in the vertical (30"), broad (8'11"), and short shuttle (4.46). Rush was ranked the 14th best quarterback prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[16]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		228 lb
(103 kg) 		32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.93 s 1.72 s 2.89 s 4.47 s 7.23 s 27 in
(0.69 m)		 8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)
All values from NFL Combine[17]

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

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2017

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Rush was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2017 NFL draft on May 12.[18] As a rookie, he initially competed with Zac Dysert in training camp for the job as the third-string quarterback. After Dysert suffered a herniated disc, the Cowboys signed Luke McCown to replace him on the roster.[19]

Following multiple productive preseason performances in the Hall of Fame Game and the next two contests, Rush began to share second-team reps in practice with backup quarterback Kellen Moore before the preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. During the contest, Rush was given most of the time with the second-team offense and completed 12-of-13 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in a 24–20 comeback victory. He finished the preseason with a total of 38 pass completions out of 51 attempts, 398 passing yards, and six touchdown passes with no interceptions.[20] Head coach Jason Garrett named Rush the Cowboys' third quarterback on their depth chart, behind Dak Prescott and Moore.[21] Rush did not dress for the first five games and was a healthy scratch.

Rush was promoted to second-string for the sixth game of the season, with Moore being released and signed to the Cowboys' practice squad.[22][23] During a Week 7 40–10 road victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Rush made his NFL debut. Rush appeared late in the game in relief of Prescott, completing one-of-three passes for two yards while also rushing twice for 13 yards.[24]

2018

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In 2018, Rush was the backup at quarterback from the start of organized team activities, as he never received any strong competition from rookie Mike White. Rush only played in Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, closing out a 40–7 victory in the fourth quarter, where he only handed the ball to the running backs.[25]

2019

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In 2019, Rush was not challenged for the backup quarterback role, so the Cowboys decided to keep only two quarterbacks on the roster, releasing White at the end of the preseason. Rush only played in the season-opener against the New York Giants and in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams. He did not have any pass attempts while closing out the two wins in the fourth quarter.[26]

2020

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On March 18, 2020, Rush re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year restricted free agent tender.[27] On May 4, he was waived by the Cowboys after the team signed former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and drafting Ben DiNucci in the 7th round 231st overall.[28][29]

New York Giants

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On May 5, 2020, Rush was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, reuniting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who was his head coach with the Cowboys.[30] On September 5, 2020, Rush was waived and signed to the practice squad the next day.[31][32] On September 29, 2020, he was released from the practice squad to make room for another former Cowboys quarterback (Clayton Thorson).[33]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

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2020

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On October 31, 2020, Rush was signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, to provide depth after starter Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury and backup quarterback Andy Dalton was in concussion protocol.[34][35] Rush was elevated to the active roster on November 7 for the team's Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[36] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 4, 2021.[37] Rush beat out Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci to be the backup QB for Dallas in the 2021 NFL season.

2021

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Rush was named the starter for the Cowboys Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings after Prescott was out with a calf injury. It was Rush's first NFL start.[38] He threw for 325 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, and led a comeback drive that he ended by throwing a touchdown to Amari Cooper in the final minute of a 20–16 road victory.[39]

2022

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On August 30, 2022, Rush was waived by the Cowboys and signed to the practice squad the next day.[40][41] He was signed to the active roster on September 17, 2022, to be the starter following an injury to Dak Prescott. Rush made his first start of the season during Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he threw for 235 yards and a touchdown in the 20–17 victory.[42]

In his second start of the season against the Giants in Week 3, Rush threw for 225 yards and a touchdown during a 23–16 road victory.[43] In the next game against the Washington Commanders, in his third straight start of the season, Rush completed 15-of-27 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 107.5 during the 25–10 victory.[44][45] With the victory, Rush became the first quarterback in franchise history to win his first four starts.[46] The following week against the Rams, Rush completed 10-of-16 passes for 102 yards in a 22–10 road victory. This was his fourth straight start and win during the season.[47] After four starts in the season, Rush had the fifth highest QBR in the NFL at 66.9.[48] During a Week 6 26–17 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he completed 18-of-38 passes for 181 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions.[49] Rush returned to the backup role when Prescott returned in Week 7.

2023

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On March 17, 2023, Rush re-signed with the Cowboys on a two-year contract worth $6 million.[50] He appeared in seven games, completing 18 of 24 passes for 144 yards, throwing no touchdowns and one interception.[51]

2024

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Rush was selected as the backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott for the beginning of the 2024 season, beating out Trey Lance in preseason play.[52] Starting in Week 10, Rush took over as the starting quarterback after Prescott was sidelined with a hamstring injury.[53] Rush earned his first win of the season in Week 12 against the Washington Commanders, completing 24-of-32 passes for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers as the Cowboys won 34–26.[54] On Thanksgiving, Rush threw for 195 yards and a touchdown, extending the Cowboys' win streak against the New York Giants to eight games as Dallas won 27–20.[55] In Week 15, he threw a career-high three touchdown passes in a 30–14 victory against the Carolina Panthers.[56]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
2017 DAL 2 0 — 1 3 33.3 2 0.7 2 0 0 42.4 2 13 6.5 15 0 0 0 0 0
2018 DAL 1 0 — 0 0 — 0 — 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 DAL 2 0 — 0 0 — 0 — 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 NYG 0 0 — DNP
2021 DAL 5 1 1–0 30 47 63.8 422 9.0 73 3 1 105.1 9 −8 −0.9 2 0 3 19 1 1
2022 DAL 9 5 4–1 94 162 58.0 1,051 6.5 46 5 3 80.0 9 6 0.7 6 0 7 49 2 0
2023 DAL 7 0 — 18 24 75.0 144 6.0 29 0 1 72.2 12 −5 −0.4 6 0 1 8 0 0
2024 DAL 11 7 4–3 172 280 61.4 1,697 6.1 64 11 3 87.2 25 16 0.6 9 0 12 88 9 3
Career 37 13 9–4 315 516 61.0 3,316 6.4 73 19 8 85.5 57 22 0.4 15 0 23 164 12 4

Personal life

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Rush is married and has a daughter.[57]

References

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  1. ^ Calloway, Brian (April 29, 2017). "Lansing Catholic grad Cooper Rush heads to Cowboys". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  2. ^ "Cooper Rush - Football". Central Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Cooper Rush, Lansing Catholic , Pro-Style Quarterback". 247Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  4. ^ "New Hampshire at Central Michigan Box Score, September 7, 2013". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  5. ^ "Popeyes Bahamas Bowl – Central Michigan vs Western Kentucky Box Score, December 24, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "VIDEO: Central Michigan scores miracle, last-second touchdown, only to miss 2-point conversion and fall to Western Kentucky, 49-48, in Bahamas Bowl". New York Daily News. Associated Press. December 25, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  7. ^ "Western Kentucky holds off Central Michigan's 34-point rally". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 24, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Butzin, Cory (December 23, 2015). "Record-holder Cooper Rush leads Central Michigan into Quick Lane Bowl". mlive.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  9. ^ "Cooper Rush 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cooper Rush 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Central Michigan at Oklahoma State Box Score, September 10, 2016". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  12. ^ "Crews at controversial Central Michigan-Oklahoma State game suspended". September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  13. ^ "Miami Beach Bowl – Central Michigan vs Tulsa Box Score, December 19, 2016". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  14. ^ "Cooper Rush College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  15. ^ Wallner, Peter (March 6, 2017). "Cooper Rush's showing at NFL Combine doesn't match agent's prediction". mlive.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Cooper Rush, DS #14 QB, Central Michigan". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  17. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Cooper Rush". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  18. ^ Phillips, Rob (May 21, 2017). "Cowboys Officially Sign 13 Rookie Free Agents Leading Into Rookie Minicamp". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  19. ^ Harris, Tyler (July 31, 2017). "Dallas Cowboys: My observations from training camp". The Landry Hat. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  20. ^ Archer, Todd (September 2, 2017). "Dallas Cowboys cut Kellen Moore, make Cooper Rush No. 2 QB for now". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  21. ^ "Official Cowboys depth chart for Week 1 vs. Giants: Kellen Moore is the No. 2 QB". Blogging the Boys. September 6, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Slagter, Josh (October 26, 2017). "Kellen Moore's release means Cooper Rush officially Cowboys' No. 2 QB'". mlive.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  23. ^ "Cowboys-49ers Inactives: Moore sits, Prescott back-up is Cooper Rush". cowboyswire.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.| author=K.D. Drummond| date=October 22, 2017}
  24. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – October 22nd, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  25. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys - October 14th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Cooper Rush 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  27. ^ "Cowboys' Cooper Rush: Signs RFA tender". CBSSports.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Helman, David (May 4, 2020). "Cowboys Release QB Cooper Rush". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  29. ^ Williams, Charean (April 25, 2020). "Cowboys draft James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Eisen, Michael (May 5, 2020). "Giants claim QB Cooper Rush from Dallas Cowboys". Giants.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  31. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 5, 2020). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  32. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 6, 2020). "Giants sign 14 to practice squad; 2 spots open". Giants.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "RB Alfred Morris and QB Clayton Thorson added to practice squad; DB Madre Harper intends to sign Thursday". Giants.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  34. ^ @DallasCowboysPR (October 30, 2020). "The @dallascowboys signed QB Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) to the practice squad on Friday" (Tweet). Retrieved November 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "Update On Andy Dalton After Dangerous Hit". www.dallascowboys.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  36. ^ "Nov. 7 Updates". DallasCowboys.com. November 7, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  37. ^ "Jan. 4 Updates". DallasCowboys.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  38. ^ Gordon, Grant (October 31, 2021). "Dak Prescott inactive; Cooper Rush will start for Cowboys vs. Vikings". NFL.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  39. ^ Patra, Kevin (November 1, 2021). "Cooper Rush on leading Cowboys to prime-time win over Vikings: 'Just as good as the dream'". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  40. ^ Eatman, Nick (August 30, 2022). "Cowboys Make 28 Moves To Reach Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  41. ^ Eatman, Nick (August 31, 2022). "Rush, Grier & Maher Among Practice Squad Signees". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  42. ^ Archer, Todd (September 19, 2022). "QB Rush leads Cowboys to win in final minute". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  43. ^ Archer, Todd; Raanan, Jordan (September 26, 2022). "Cooper Rush rallies to win third straight career start as Dallas Cowboys hand New York Giants first loss". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  44. ^ "Backup QB Rush wins again as Cowboys beat Commanders 25-10". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 2, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  45. ^ "Cooper Rush 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  46. ^ Ochoa, R. J. (October 2, 2022). "Dallas Cowboys history: Cooper Rush is first quarterback in team history to win his first 4 starts". Blogging The Boys. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  47. ^ Epstein, Jori (October 9, 2022). "Cowboys move to 4-1 with Cooper Rush as defense suffocates Rams on road". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  48. ^ Conway, Tyler (October 13, 2022). "Troy Aikman: Dak Prescott vs. Cooper Rush a 'Real Question' Cowboys Have to Answer". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 14, 2022. Rush is 4-0 as a starter since taking over for an injured Prescott in Week 1's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's thrown for 839 yards and four touchdowns without an interception and is fifth in the NFL with a 66.9 QBR.
  49. ^ MacDonald, Logan (October 17, 2022). "Cowboys 'QB Controversy' Killed - By Cooper Rush vs. Eagles; Dak Prescott Comeback?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 17, 2022. More specifically, Rush threw three interceptions. Additionally, Rush was 18 of 38 on the night for just 181 passing yards.
  50. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 17, 2023). "Cowboys re-signing backup QB Cooper Rush to two-year contract". NFL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  51. ^ "Cooper Rush 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  52. ^ Reed, Tyler (August 29, 2024). "Cowboys backup Cooper Rush gets uninspiring label ahead of season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  53. ^ Archer, Todd (November 9, 2024). "Cowboys 'confident' in Cooper Rush replacing Dak Prescott". ESPN. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  54. ^ Epstein, Jori (November 25, 2024). "Commanders lose to Cowboys after wild finish that includes missed PAT, two 80+ yard TDs". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  55. ^ "Cowboys snap a 27-20 Thanksgiving win over Giants". CBS News. November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  56. ^ Yarrish, Tommy (December 15, 2024). "Cooper Rush's career-high touchdown day leads Cowboys offense to victory". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  57. ^ Hendricks, Jaclyn (September 18, 2022). "Meet Cooper Rush's wife, Lauryn, ahead of Cowboys-Bengals start". New York Post. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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