Cowboys' Dak Prescott Uncertain to Play vs. Lions Despite Remarks, Says Stephen Jones
October 17, 2022
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott thinks he'll be ready to go for Week 7's game against the Detroit Lions, but the team isn't quite ready to commit.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told K&C Masterpiece that Prescott's status for next Sunday is still up in the air.
“Well, that still remains to be seen," Jones said Monday (via Logan Mullen of Audacy). "Obviously seeing where Dak is feeling really good about himself, that’s the most important thing of all is that he feels like he can throw the ball the way he needs to throw it to be successful.
“Certainly we’ll see what the week brings and see if he’ll be able to be consistent this week with how he feels with that thumb and we’ll go from there. But, again, I can’t say enough about Cooper Rush.”
Prescott has missed the Cowboys' last five games after suffering a fractured finger in the team's Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cooper Rush has filled in admirably in Prescott's stead, throwing for 1,020 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions while leading the Cowboys to a 4-1 record. While many expected Dallas to nosedive out of NFC East competition without Prescott, Rush provided a steady hand for the offense while the Cowboys defense ranked among the NFL's best.
Things fell apart on the national stage Sunday night in Philadelphia, with Rush throwing three picks and the Eagles largely dominating their way to a 26-17 victory. Prescott said after the game he plans to return for Week 7.
"I had plans; [the] bone didn't have the same plan," Prescott told reporters after Sunday's game of his initial plan to return ahead of the initial timeframe of 4-6 weeks. "So that got pushed back, but that was me being eager. That was nothing different from what were the doctor's plans, the trainers' plans. As I said, the plan now is to go next week, and let's see if I can do that."
Prescott's biggest issue has been an inability to grip the ball strong enough to gain clearance to play. He practiced on a limited basis late last week, but he was never given a realistic shot at playing despite being listed as questionable.
The Cowboys have been largely transparent throughout the process, so if Jones says Prescott is not 100 percent guaranteed to play this week, it's something worth monitoring. That said, the overwhelming expectation is for him to be under center against a weak Detroit defense.