Is Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott nursing a fractured finger heading into Eagles game?
The Dallas Cowboys are in relatively good health entering the final two games of the regular season.
But there is cause for some concern with quarterback Dak Prescott heading into Sunday’s showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East title.
Prescott, who is second in NFL in passing yards and fourth in touchdown passes, has a hairline fracture in the index finger of his right throwing hand, according to former Cowboys quarterback and FOX NFL analyst Troy Aikman.
Aikman said during the broadcast of the Cowboys’ 44-21 victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday that Prescott has a “hairline fracture on the top of his index finger.”
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett wouldn’t confirm the injury during his Monday afternoon press conference. And at least two sources denied that the quarterback is dealing with a hairline fracture, though no one disputes Prescott injured the finger Dec. 5 in Chicago against the Bears.
“I don’t want to get into the medical part of it,” Garrett said. “I do know he has a little injury to his index finger. Again, he works through it and does what he needs to do.”
Prescott did not miss a day of practice leading to the blowout victory against the Rams on Sunday. The finger was taped during practice last week. He opened the Rams game with tape on it before removing it in the first quarter.
Prescott completed 15 of 23 passes for 213 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Garrett said he didn’t think the injury bothered Prescott during the game. But he really wouldn’t know.
“I never had a hairline fracture in my finger to throw,” Garrett said. “But I think a lot of quarterbacks have jammed fingers and they dealt with different things. It’s hard, obviously. Having the ball in your hand and feeling good is a big part of throwing the ball well.
“Dak’s a tough guy. Dak’s a physically tough guy. Dak’s a mentally tough guy, so whatever he’s dealing with, [he] hasn’t let a lot of people know about it. He goes out and does his job, and he was able to do that again [Sunday].”
The Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles at 3:25 p.m. Sunday in Philadelphia. Both teams are 7-7. A win will clinch the NFC East title for Dallas.
Other injury updates from Garrett include linebacker Luke Gifford, who is out with a fractured arm; C.J. Goodwin had surgery for a thumb fracture; and linebacker Joe Thomas, who injured his knee in Sunday’s win, is listed as day-to-day.
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has missed the past month with a neck injury and will not be available against the Eagles.
Garrett said the Cowboys will have to add a player to the roster to bolster depth at linebacker.
This story was originally published December 16, 2019 at 5:02 PM.
