Cowboys' Joe Milton to Start Preseason Finale vs. Falcons, Dak Prescott Won't Play

Joe Milton will start under center in the Dallas Cowboys' preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday.

According to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com, head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants to use the last preseason game learning more about Milton's game, which is why he decided to start him over Will Grier.

"It's not that we want Joe to win the job or Will to lose the job," Schottenheimer said. "We need to figure out more about Joe."

Dak Prescott will not play against the Falcons, Schottenheimer said.

Milton started the Cowboys' first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for 143 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 17-of-29 passing. He also started last week against the Baltimore Ravens and recorded 122 passing yards and an interception on 9-of-18 passing.

Milton, a sixth-round draft pick in 2024, spent his rookie season with the New England Patriots. Though he saw limited action, he made the most of the one game he played against the Buffalo Bills, collecting 241 yards and two total touchdowns.

The Patriots traded Milton to the Cowboys this offseason in return for a seventh-round pick.

Grier, who is looking to prove himself worthy of the backup quarterback role, has seen some preseason action, but not much compared to Milton. Against the Rams, he completed two of his three passes for 14 yards. In a loss to the Ravens, Grier had 33 yards on 1-of-5 passing.

Milton appears well on his way to cementing himself as the backup, and a strong performance on Friday would help him keep that role.

The backup quarterback role in Dallas could end up being an important one this season after Prescott's recent injury troubles. Prescott played just five games in 2020, 12 games in 2022 and missed nine games last year after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury.

The hope for the Cowboys is that Prescott can stay healthy and help the team bounce back from a rough season, but ensuring Milton is ready to go if needed is vital as the season approaches.