Notes: Rush Hour; Silenced Lamb; More Injuries

Silence of the Lamb

With the decision to trade four-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round pick, CeeDee Lamb immediately found himself thrust into the WR1 throne for 2022 and beyond. It's something he's made clear he's ready for, and something the Cowboys believe he'll quickly become, but to say he got off to a rough start to that campaign would be a vast understatement - his debut in the role devolving into a disappointment in the regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The former first-round pick was targeted a total of 11 times (10 by Dak Prescott) but reeled in only two catches for 29 yards and no touchdowns, never finding a chemistry with Prescott - who eventually left the game with a thumb injury - and fell far short of leading a WR group that is in desperate need of an alpha wolf. Lamb must now find that chemistry with backup quarterback Cooper Rush, and quickly, considering he'll be without Prescott for the foreseeable future.

-Patrik Walker (9/11/22)

More Injuries

Dak Prescott wasn't the only starter who got injured Sunday night.

Left guard Connor McGovern exited on the first series against Tampa Bay with an ankle injury and left AT&T Stadium in a protective boot.

Safety Jayron Kearse, who dealt with neck soreness during the week, limped off the field in the second half with a knee injury and left the stadium on crutches after the game.

Backup defensive end Tarell Basham also suffered a thigh injury in the second half and did not return to the game, clearly in considerable pain as he left the field.

All three players will be reevaluated Monday, as will Prescott, who will have surgery to repair a fracture in his right thumb area, according to Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones.

-Rob Phillips (9/11/22)

Rush Hour

Last Halloween, Cooper Rush's first career start couldn't have gone any better: 325 passing yards and two touchdowns, including the winning score in the final seconds against Minnesota.

This year, Rush will have to draw on that experience as he prepares to replace injured starter Dak Prescott for the next few weeks.

"I've been out there before. You just have to draw on that and trust yourself that you can do it and be you," Rush said after Sunday's 19-3 season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. "You're here for a reason. You work so hard and all these other guys do, too. We'll all draw on that with each other and we'll be all right."

Rush replaced Prescott in the fourth quarter after Prescott suffered a thumb injury on his right (throwing) hand that will require surgery and sideline him for a few weeks. With the game likely already out of reach, Rush completed 7 of 13 passes for 64 yards in the final five minutes and change.

Rush won a training camp competition with Will Grier for the No. 2 quarterback job. He was one of two standard practice squad elevations by the Cowboys this week.

Next Sunday against Cincinnati, Rush is set to be the starter.

"You can never have enough experience, so it'll be huge getting even more," he said. "I'm excited about it."

-Rob Phillips (9/11/22)