Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Needing backup QB Thursday, Cowboys to visit with Austin Davis

FRISCO, Texas – Needing a quarterback to potentially play Thursday against the Houston Texans, the Dallas Cowboys will visit with Austin Davis, who was released earlier this week by the Cleveland Browns.

If he signs, then it is possible his stay could last longer than a couple days if the Cowboys want more of a veteran behind Dak Prescott with Tony Romo out because of a compression fracture in his back.

Davis has a 3-7 career record with the Rams and Browns with 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. In 2014, he threw for 327 yards with three touchdown passes and two interceptions against the Cowboys in a 34-31 loss in which Dallas overcame a 21-0 deficit.

Prescott will not play against the Texans and the plan is for Jameill Showers to play the entire preseason finale. If he were to get hurt, the Cowboys would turn to wide receiver Cole Beasley as the No. 2 quarterback if they did not add another quarterback.

Who would be the emergency quarterback in a regular-season situation?

"Cole Beasley has some history as a quarterback,” coach Jason Garrett said. "[Darren] McFadden was a Razorback, Wildcat quarterback, so to speak, at Arkansas. He did a lot of that stuff, took a direct snap from center. Those are the guys that come to mind right now.”

Beasley last played quarterback in high school and McFadden is no lock to start the season on the 53-man roster as he recovers from a broken elbow.

Dez Bryant might possess one of the strongest arms on the team. With a flick of the wrist, he can throw it as deep as a quarterback.

"Oh yeah, Dez would be outstanding," Garrett said. "He would be dynamic with the ball in his hands."

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