Cowboys decline to name starting QB vs. Steelers; decision on Ezekiel Elliott to come pregame

The week of practice for the Dallas Cowboys ended without coach Mike McCarthy publicly naming his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McCarthy told reporters in Dallas that either Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush will be at quarterback for the 4:25 p.m. kickoff at AT&T Stadium. He’d said that earlier in the week but indicated whoever performed better during practice would get the start.

McCarthy did tell The Athletic that he would not alternate quarterbacks in the game against what is the NFL’s No. 5-ranked defense. McCarthy benched former Pine-Richland and Pitt quarterback Ben DiNucci after the rookie was merely mediocre during his first NFL start last week in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. McCarthy cited the Steelers’ aggressive defense that leads the NFL in most pass rushing categories.

Columnist @MarkMaddenX: Against the Cowboys, the Steelers will now know what it’s like to play against Devlin Hodges. Either one of the Cowboys QBs will be a sitting duck. https://t.co/WdvmQ1I4Yk

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) November 5, 2020

There also remains at least a sliver of doubt as to what running back the Steelers will face Sunday. Star Ezekiel Elliott has been a sparse participant at practice this week after suffering a hamstring injury late in the loss to Philadelphia.

Team owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that he believes Elliott will play against the Steelers. McCarthy told reporters that Elliott’s hamstring felt “better” Friday and that the Cowboys will “warm him up” Sunday “just to make sure that he’s full go.”

ESPN reported the final decision will be made in pregame warm-ups.

Second-year pro Tony Pollard is Elliott’s backup. Elliott is a three-time Pro Bowl honoree and two-time NFL rushing champion.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.