OXNARD, Calif. – With their first preseason game less than a week away, it's no surprise the Cowboys opted to fill the space in their quarterback depth chart.
One day after losing Zac Dysert to a back injury, the Cowboys agreed to terms with veteran backup quarterback Luke McCown to help shoulder the workload as they progress through training camp. McCown takes Dysert's spot on the 90-man roster, as Dysert was waived/injured with a herniated disc in his back.
Coach Jason Garrett said as recently as Thursday that the coaching staff was content with the trio of Dak Prescott, Kellen Moore and Cooper Rush for the time being. But it makes sense that the Cowboys would want another arm in camp for the coming week.
It's unlikely that Prescott will play significant snaps in next week's Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, and it's doubtful the coaching staff wants Moore playing deep into the second half. To that end, adding another capable quarterback to the mix makes sense, in the interest of playing time.
McCown is one of the more experienced quarterbacks presently on the market, given that 2017 will mark his 14th NFL season since entering the league in 2004. The 36-year-old was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Cleveland Browns, and he has spent time with Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Atlanta and New Orleans.
Most recently, McCown enjoyed a successful stint as the primary backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans, playing there from 2013-2016. He last started a game in 2015, filling in for an injured Brees against the Carolina Panthers. He completed 31-of-38 passes for 310 yards in that outing, ultimately losing 27-22.
The addition of McCown, along with the earlier signing of wide receiver Javontee Herdnon, puts the Cowboys at their 90-man roster limit heading into Saturday's practice.
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