Dallas Cowboys: 3 Roster bubble players fighting for a job vs. Jaguars

August 10, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford (57) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 10, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford (57) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys
Aug 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) moves out to pass in the second quarter against the Houston Texans defensive end Derek Rivers (95) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Cowboys finish their preseason at home with a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and these 3 players are fighting for a spot on the roster.

They got an extra game to prove they belong thanks to the Hall of Fame Game, but it could all come down to the final contest for some members of the Dallas Cowboys.

After playing against Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Houston, the Cowboys will finish their preseason at home against Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars. While preseason games aren’t typically exciting, this one could be since so many will be trying to earn their spot on the 53-man roster.

With that being said, we look at three players on the bubble trying to make this team.

3. Cooper Rush, Quarterback

Cooper Rush is in a weird position. He went from a forgotten man to someone who is in play for the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Dak Prescott — but he still isn’t even guaranteed a spot on the roster.

Undrafted out of Central Michigan, Rush started his career with Dallas in 2017 and played for them for three seasons before following former head coach Jason Garrett to New York. He didn’t last with the Giants, however, and was back in Big D last season.

Still, he was an afterthought once he was beaten out by Garrett Gilbert who was the favorite for the backup spot this season. While Gilbert had his ups and downs as the starter in the preseason, Rush was quietly waiting in the wings. Then completely took over in Week 2 when he had 97 yards and two touchdowns on just 10-of-12 passing.

That performance was solid, but it was against backups whereas Gilbert has been playing with the first string. That means he’s still likely favored for the job when all is said and done. Throw in the soft spot Mike McCarthy has for Ben DiNucci (for some reason) and Rush is playing with a lot on the line this weekend.