Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott takes first-team reps in practice, on track to return
The return of franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to the Dallas Cowboys offense continued its upload on Wednesday.
Prescott, who has missed the last five games with a fractured thumb, was listed a full participant in a light practice. He took the majority of the first-team reps.
And he is scheduled to take first-team reps during the first padded practice of the week on Thursday as the Cowboys prepare for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium.
Prescott has not participated in a full practice or taken first-team reps since being injured in the 19-3 season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and undergoing surgery on Sept. 12 to have a metal plate inserted in his right thumb.
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush has led the Cowboys to a 4-1 mark in Prescott’s absence, including a four-game winning streak before last Sunday’s 26-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles when he tossed three interceptions.
Prescott said after the game that he planned to play against the Lions and the Cowboys are giving him every opportunity, coach Mike McCarthy said.
Prescott threw 50 passes before Sunday’s game against the Eagles. He used Monday as a regeneration day before throwing more passes on Tuesday.
He took first-team reps in a 70-play mock game on Wednesday with the plan to throw 40-50 balls to the receivers after practice.
McCarthy said the plan was for him take the first-team reps again on Thursday if all went well on Wednesday.
“Just try to keep moving [forward],” he said.
McCarthy added that not having a full practice Wednesday was “not ideal” for Prescott in his impending return.
“But we played Sunday night,” McCarthy added. “We got back at four in the morning. I think the longer you do this ... I’ve over-practiced teams in the past as a younger head coach. You do what you have to do. I think if you’re out there Sunday night, you had a full workout in Philadelphia, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure that we’re giving him an opportunity to be ready, so we’ll do the same thing.”
So what does McCarthy need to see to be certain about Prescott’s return against Detroit?
“No. 1, just stay clear medically, which everything has been excellent to date,” he said. “And then just really, the time clock. He’s just got to get his timing back. I think like any player that comes back from return to play, there’s medical clearance, but there’s the timing component, regardless of your position.”
Prescott gave another indication of his return when he said he planned to talk to the media on Thursday during his normal weekly press session for the first time since the injury.
Rush has handled the quarterback media availability the past five weeks.
This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 4:14 PM.
