The Dallas Cowboys are in a precarious position with quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined for the remainder of the year with a hamstring injury and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb now battling a health issue of his own.
Lamb was a late add to the injury report this week due to a back problem and is officially listed as questionable heading into Monday night's must-win contest against the Houston Texans.
Head coach Mike McCarthy wasn't overly urgent in his assessment of Lamb's condition, saying that the receiver sustained the injury during a 7-on-7 drill but adding that he's not "of high concern" when it comes Lamb's status for the game.
What probably should be of concern to McCarthy, who has led Dallas to an unfortunate 3-6 record this season and is now without his $240 million QB, is that Cooper Rush and/or Trey Lance is going to have to best a competent 6-4 Texans team to keep the Cowboys' NFC playoff chase legitimate.
Neither signal caller has inspired much confidence this season, as Rush is 35-of-62 passing for 212 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in five appearances (0-1), while Lance completed 4-of-6 passes for 21 yards and an interception in relief of Rush last week.
It's far too late to add a new quarterback to the mix to help in Week 11. But if Dallas can pull out a victory against Houston and/or remains a mathematically viable candidate to make a run and threaten for a wildcard playoff spot despite a seventh loss over the weekend, then free agent Ryan Tannehill is worth a serious look.
Tannehill, 36, is not retired. He simply played out the final season of his $118 million contract with the Tennessee Titans last year and chose not to sign anywhere else until an NFL team is willing to give him the chance to start.
He remains available on the market and has a resume that includes nearly 35,000 passing yards and more than 200 passing TDs, as well as one Pro Bowl selection and three playoff trips. Tannehill led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game following the 2019 season.
The Cowboys could probably sign Tannehill for the remainder of the season at a price tag of just a few million dollars, which is the rough equivalent of an inexpensive free-agent Hail Mary in one final attempt to turn around what has been a disappointing season.
