Dak Prescott's Practice Absence Downplayed by Cowboys; No Ankle Injury Concerns

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is dealing with a sore ankle that will keep him out of Friday's practice.

The Cowboys announced (h/t NFL Network's Tom Pelissero) that Prescott "will be fine" and his absence is a precautionary measure.

NFL Network's Jane Slater added that a source told her Prescott's absence from practice was "not injury related" and "nothing serious at all."

Prescott is coming off the best season of his career. He threw for 4,516 yards and an NFL-high 36 touchdowns in 17 starts to finish second in MVP voting.

While there is always a bright spotlight on Prescott and the Cowboys, things are even more intense this season because of their playoff struggles the past three seasons. He's also in the final year of his contract and could become a free agent in the offseason.

Head coach Mike McCarthy can use Cooper Rush for more snaps in the preseason if there's even a little concern about Prescott's health. The Cowboys have not yet announced how many—if any—of their starters will play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

Rush played well by backup standards in his five games as a starter in 2022 when Prescott was out of action. He threw for 956 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. The Cowboys went 4-1 in those games.