FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and his surgically-repaired right thumb are improving. He threw to receivers for the first time in practice on Wednesday and zip on his passes, by all accounts.
But he has not yet been medically cleared to play, making his return for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles (5-0) a no go.
Coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys (4-1) plan to start Cooper Rush at quarterback for the fifth straight week.
McCarthy said the decision on Prescott is a medical one. It will be the deciding factor as to when Prescott returns.
And Prescott is not happy about it.
“You’ve got to trust the medical process,” McCarthy said. “This is a 17-game season. That was my immediate response. I know Dak didn’t want to hear it. You’ve got to make sure that he’s right for the long haul, too. Not that I’m saying we’re being conservative because that doesn’t really line up with him the way he approaches preparing to play. This really is following the medical timeline and he’s doing all of the things you could possibly do and more to get ready.”
Prescott acknowledged his frustration with an expletive, saying he is “antsy as F----” to return.
But he also understands the process of waiting another week and doing what’s best for his long-term health and the team:
“Yeah, whatever is best for the team,” Prescott said “I would play on one leg..I would have straight my leg back out and played.
“I understand the process,” Prescott continued. “The week can be frustrating. But game day, I’m excited for my brothers. Excited to watch them go and do my part and supporting. The week is the frustrating part. Game plan, going through it. Something you are used to doing.”
Prescott has been sidelined since suffering a fractured thumb in the season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He underwent surgery on Sept. 12 and had the stitches removed two weeks ago.
Prescott was cleared to throw to receivers after an evaluation by the doctors on Monday. He began Wednesday’s practice with the rehab group before going through drills with the rest of the quarterbacks with the plan to throw to receivers for the first time.
During the media portion of practice, Prescott did not take any snaps from center with other quarterbacks and he only threw passes with his left hand. He did throw to receivers after the practice.
Receiver CeeDee Lamb said had plenty zip on the ball and threw well.
When asked about having some pop on his passes, a smiling Prescott said, “I always got some pop on my balls. I am not going through if I ain’t got no pop.”
McCarthy has said he wants Prescott to take a full week of practice before returning to the field.
The Cowboys have never lost with Rush at quarterback. He is 4-0 in 2022 and 5-0 all-time as a starter.
Asked if there was a chance Prescott could serve as the backup quarterback on Sunday with Rush starting against the Eagles, McCarthy hedged.
“I get the question. But until we go through this phase that we are in I can’t really give an clear answer,” McCarthy said. “I want to see him throw today. That is where my head’s at.”
