McCarthy downplays Jones' QB competition quote: 'Dak is our starter'

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy isn't entertaining the idea of a battle at quarterback between Dak Prescott and backup Cooper Rush.

"I'm just trying to say this with a straight face," McCarthy said Friday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "Like anything, you look at the whole thing, it's about winning. That's all we really care about. There is no quarterback controversy. ... Dak is our starter."

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones fuelled speculation on Thursday when he said he hoped Rush would play well enough to force the club to make a tough decision when Prescott returned from injury.

"I think you need to be able to decipher between 'GM Jerry' and 'Owner Jerry,'" McCarthy added.

Rush took Jones' comments in stride after having a good laugh about them with Prescott.

"I think he just wants to win games, and that's what we all want to do," he said.

Prescott is currently rehabbing a thumb ailment that was initially projected to keep him out of action anywhere from four-to-six weeks. The two-time Pro Bowl passer has progressed to on-field rehab as he begins to ramp up activities during his recovery.

Jones is optimistic that Prescott could return to the Cowboys' lineup Oct. 2 against the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, Prescott is scheduled to have the stitches from his surgery removed on Monday, according to The Dallas Morning News' David Moore.

Rush has taken over the starting duties under center for the Cowboys. The 28-year-old improved to 2-0 as a starter after leading Dallas to a 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. He finished the contest passing for 235 yards and one touchdown while completing 19 of 31 attempts for a 61% completion rate.

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