Why isn't Trey Lance playing for Cowboys? Mike McCarthy admits he 'should've put in' backup QB vs. Texans

The Cowboys freefall continued on Monday night, as the Texans beat Dallas 34-10 to drop the Cowboys to 3-7 on the season. It also marked the team's second-straight loss without Dak Prescott, who is out for the season with a hamstring injury. The team has now lost five-straight games overall, all but ending any postseason hopes.

In Prescott's place was once again Cooper Rush, but the backup quarterback struggled for the second week in a row. Therefore, many fans continued to call for Dallas to put in Trey Lance, and it was apparently something that head coach Mike McCarthy considered.

After the game, McCarthy admitted that he should've given Lance some playing time late in the blowout loss, and if he could do it over, he would.

"The one thing I should've did at the end and I didn't do is put Trey in there," McCarthy said. "Could've gotten him a series. That's one thing I could second guess myself on."

McCarthy didn't exactly explain why he didn't play Lance, but it seems as if he simply didn't think of it ahead of the final series or two.

Here's a look at Rush's performance that caused McCarthy's regret on the night.

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Cooper Rush stats vs. Texans

Rush actually totaled over 300 yards this week after throwing for just 45 last week, but he did so because the Cowboys abandoned the run when they were down early. The Cowboys dropped back to pass 61 times compared to just 18 rushing attempts, a recipe that was doomed against a playoff-caliber Texans team.

The lowlight of the night was when Rush fumbled despite Dallas still being in reach of the lead, followed by the Texans taking the fumble back for a score. That touchdown extended the lead to 17 and effectively ended the Cowboys' hopes.

When will Trey Lance start?

Next week, the Cowboys play the Commanders, then they host the Giants on Thanksgiving on a short week. So, if the Cowboys don't start Lance this week, it wouldn't probably happen until after that Thursday game, barring injury. After Thanksgiving, the Cowboys have 11 days off before playing the Bengals on "Monday Night Football."

Lance made his Cowboys debut last week against the Eagles, completing four passes for 21 yards but tossing an interception.