I think the question comes down to the seeding for the playoffs.
If some think they really have a shot at that 1 spot and the bye, they want him to play. If not, this game is not critical.
The real question has not been answered. What is the risk to him if he plays in this game? Does he risk more down time and can this be a longer term ailment?
The other question I have is how will this affect his effectiveness. That's his plant foot, will it alter accuracy and velocity? Will Zimmer just send the farm after him to flush him and get him on the move to test that calf? Can he throw on the run with that calf?
Here's where I am, and I am hurt nobody asked. I do not care about that 1 seed or the bye. I want this team playing every week because I do not know McC's ability to get them revved up but I have seen the others in the past and that was not good. They need to have all 8 cylinders humming in the playoffs.
This is a young team and not borderline playoff savvy. If they need some down time, give it to them in the last game if that's not a seeding situation but the way the East looks, the Cowboys have more than 1 L to give up.
I do not think Rush's performance affects this season as they will not have time to pull a trade off and if they do, it will not be good. At least Rush knows this offense. Although they might try and get Dalton back since he was here last season.
In the meantime, what backup is going to come in for any of the contenders and really make a difference? The only reason the NFC 1 loss teams have 1 loss is the QB1 on each team.