Dak Prescott doesn't hold back talking Cowboys player that he believes must play more
The Dallas Cowboys offense and its quarterback know they've got to get better. Despite their win against the New York Giants, the Cowboys went three-for-10 on third down and once again struggled to run the ball (3.5 yards per attempt) while pass protection broke down in several key instances of the game. And penalties were just […]
The Dallas Cowboys offense and its quarterback know they've got to get better.
Despite their win against the New York Giants, the Cowboys went three-for-10 on third down and once again struggled to run the ball (3.5 yards per attempt) while pass protection broke down in several key instances of the game. And penalties were just as common as stop routes were.
But there was some positive stuff that happened, including CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott getting on the same page once again.
However, the big positive we're here to discuss is all about a player on the rise who keeps earning more and more snaps, and whom received a shoutout from QB1 himself postgame: Fullback Hunter Luepke.
"I love that guy," Prescott told reporters about Luepke. "Lil' Mike Alstott that's what I call him. Wearing number 40 as well, one of my favorite backs back in the day too."
The comparisons to Alstott, a three-time First Team All-Pro and former Super Bowl champion in the 1990s and early 2000s, come after Luepke's last few games, where he's earning a bigger role on offense thanks to his versatility.
The Cowboys cross-trained Luepke at fullback and tight end this offseason and it's paid off. But make no mistake about it: Luepke is climbing the RB depth chart as well as he's also gotten significant reps as a pass protecting back and on Thursday night, it was his name that was called on fourth down to move the chains in a short yardage situation.
Short yardage and pass protection were the reasons why Ezekiel Elliott was brought in to Dallas. Luepke has stolen the show, out snapping Elliott for the second consecutive week.
Prescott didn't hold back his praise on Luepke, calling him a guy you can play in any situation.
"So awesome just to see a guy come in as a fullback, show that he can play tight end, fullback, running back, can pass protect," Prescott added about Luepke. "Made a huge third down catch last week and obviously this week. Just a guy that not only gained more and more of my trust but the coaches' as well, understanding that he's just a football player. You can put him in any situation, and he's going to get the job done. Went and got a fourth-and-one, almost bounced it, got tripped up, kept his feet, and went and got an extra five yards or so."
More and more playing time is likely headed Luepke's way, who was signed as one of the highest-paid undrafted free agents of the 2023 rookie class.
To Prescott, playing Luepke more is a point of emphasis moving forward.
"The guy can do it all, and when you've got somebody like that, that's huge for this offense," said Prescott. "We've got to figure out ways to continue to get him on the field and allow him to make plays when he can."