There isn’t much to be happy about for Dallas fans after the Cowboys lost their third straight game on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, dropping them to 3-5 on the season. To add further salt to the wound, they also lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott to a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the loss and surgery could be on the horizon for the star quarterback.

Now, Dallas will rely on backup Cooper Rush ahead of its matchup with the Eagles. Even without Prescott, there’s still one thing Cowboys fans can smile about: linebacker Micah Parsons could soon make his return.

» LEARN MORE: Surging Eagles defense prepares Sunday for Cowboys team without Dak Prescott: ‘We’re just locked in’

Parsons ‘feels good’

Parsons practiced Wednesday for the first time after suffering a sprained ankle in Week 4 against the New York Giants.

“I feel good” Parsons told reporters. “My chances are high (to play on Sunday). We’re just trying to see how practice would go. See what steps we have to take to see how we’re going to play this game…I just have to feel the rush. I feel like I’m starting all over again. My lungs were hurting, so you know that. It’s like I’m starting my season from scratch. So it’s going to be an interesting week.

Parsons participated on a limited basis in Thursday’s practice, making his status for Sunday’s game against the Eagles uncertain. But the Dallas linebacker is looking forward to a reunion with his former State of Pennsylvania teammate Saquon Barkley.

“I know it’s hard,” Parsons said. “He’s like a big brother to me but you know, at the end of the day, I know he’s going to come with it, he knows I’m going to come with it. So this is going to be an exciting match.

This isn’t the first time Parsons has spoken about Barkley and the Eagles. Earlier this week on his podcast, he praised the running back for his performance so far in the season.

His praise continued Wednesday when he told reporters what made Barkley a fierce competitor.

“It’s his confidence. I’m not talking about his confidence in what he believes in, but his confidence in people who will make the right blocks,” Parsons said. “He just plays his reads, he plays running back so peacefully. Many people doubted that he would achieve such success. But just like his first year, you put the guns on the outside of him, you can’t stack the box against him… Now that he got some help, man, it makes a day difference and at night.

Rush: “This is what you’re preparing for.”

Once again, the Cowboys turn to Rush. After Prescott suffered a broken right thumb in the team’s first loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 2022, Rush stepped in — going 4-1 as a starter.

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When asked why he decided to stay with the Cowboys after the 2022 run, Rush responded: “It’s a great venue, a great place, a great place. We’ve been fine for a while. Lots of good coaches and a good offense. It’s a system and a place that I know and am comfortable with.

Nearly two years later, after his last NFL start, which came at Lincoln Financial Field in a loss to the Eagles, Rush is ready for his next challenge.

“It’s exciting” » Rush said. “This is what you work for, this is what you prepare for. To get out there and get started… I’m older (than the 2022 race), I’ve seen more. I’ve done more and improved as a player over the years, so it’s exciting.

Tune in to Gameday Central on Sunday as Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith discuss all the key questions surrounding the Eagles’ matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.