Kellen Moore: Eagles facing Cooper Rush would 'still be a challenge for us'

   

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10, the defensive coaching staff can pick the brain of Kellen Moore for any insight on likely starter Cooper Rush.

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Moore spent four seasons with Rush in Dallas -- one year as QB coach and three as the Cowboys offensive coordinator -- giving the Eagles' current OC intimate knowledge of the signal-caller.

"Coop is a really smart player," Moore said Tuesday, via the team's official transcript. "He has a great feel for the game. Anticipation. Vision. Feel for what the defense is doing. I think he puts himself in a really good position. He can handle volume from an offensive game plan perspective. When Coop has gone in there, he's had success. It'll still be a challenge for us."

Jerry Jones indicated on Tuesday that the Cowboys will likely put Dak Prescott on injured reserve, knocking him out for at least four weeks. Dallas also has QB3 Trey Lance as an option under center.

Moore was the Cowboys play-caller for all six of Rush's career starts, including when the backup helped Dallas to a 4-1 record in five starts in 2022.

"Cooper Rush is as respected of a backup quarterback that I've (been around) since Rich Gannon," coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week. "He carries that type of credibility. He's a great teammate. He's someone that you can see the young guys lean on."

From Weeks 2-6 in 2022, Rush completed 58 percent of his passes for 191.2 yards per game with five touchdowns and three interceptions. The surrounding team was better built than the Cowboys' current 3-5 club. The Dallas defense allowed 15.8 PPG in Rush's five starts in 2022 (28.1 PPG allowed in 2024), while Moore's offense averaged 128.4 rush (82.0 rush YPG in 2024).