Cowboys' Mike McCarthy: Dak Prescott Week 8 Injury Status About More Than Just 1 Game

The Dallas Cowboys don't appear ready to rush Dak Prescott back to the field for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings while he works his way back from a calf injury. 

"It's more than just one game," head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday. "We're obviously in our seventh game, so there is a ton of football left to play."

McCarthy said Prescott was sore on Friday after ramping up intensity in Thursday's practice.

The Cowboys later listed Prescott as questionable for Sunday night's game, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The quarterback initially suffered his injury in Week 6 against the New England Patriots, and he is still not back to full strength even after the Week 7 bye.

"I'd like to think that Dak can go (on Sunday). Things are looking good right now on Dak," owner Jerry Jones said on The K&C Masterpiece, via Josh Clark of 105.3 The Fan.

Prescott indicated Thursday he could play, but he acknowledged it's out of his hands.

"I don't know if it's just my decision." the quarterback told reporters.

The Cowboys were also cautious surrounding Prescott's training camp shoulder injury, holding him out of the entire preseason before returning Week 1. It comes after the 28-year-old missed 11 games in 2020 because of a leg injury.

Dallas clearly wants to take the long-term approach with a player who signed a four-year, $160 million contract this offseason. The team also has some margin for error after a 5-1 start to the year, good enough for a 3.5-game lead for first place in the NFC East.

A long-term injury to the star quarterback would clearly be much worse than a loss at this stage of the season.

It could allow backup quarterback Cooper Rush to get the start for the Cowboys on Sunday, with Will Grier also in the mix for playing time.