Dak Prescott says he’ll begin at QB for Cowboys vs. Lions

FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott is again.

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback mentioned he’ll begin Sunday in opposition to the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium after going by way of a full apply on Thursday for the primary time since fracturing his proper thumb within the season opener.

He even made a thumbs-up for the cameras on the finish of his media session.

“I did every little thing. I wasn’t restricted by any means,” Prescott mentioned. “There wasn’t a pitch depend. I feel I threw about 140 balls, one thing like that. I simply made that up, however there was no pitch depend. I used to be full go.”

Prescott has missed the previous 5 video games after needing surgical procedure. Cooper Rush went 4-1 in Prescott’s absence to maintain the Cowboys’ season afloat.

After throwing about 50 passes earlier than final week’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Prescott took a regeneration day on Monday and was again on the sector Tuesday, the gamers’ off day. After Wednesday’s walk-through, he was held to a 40-pass session with the perimeter gamers. Coach Mike McCarthy mentioned Prescott seemed, “excellent” and that the throws would improve Thursday and Friday.

How did he look in apply?

“Like Dak,” broad receiver CeeDee Lamb mentioned. “He is again.”

With Prescott’s return, the Cowboys imagine their offensive manufacturing will enhance whereas nonetheless specializing in a operating sport that includes Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

“I feel operating the soccer makes issues go slightly bit simpler. Even when it is probably not that efficient, you are still sporting on that protection,” Elliott mentioned. “You are still creating physique blows, and you then’re impacting the sport and making play-action work. I feel it is vital for us to proceed to assault defenses on the bottom. Why not? You have received two nice backs and an excellent O-line, so why do not you make it simple for Dak?”

Prescott mentioned he could put on some KT Tape on his thumb however thought of taking it off in apply and would possibly go with out it Sunday. He mentioned he’ll proceed to take measures to assist the thumb earlier than and after practices and video games.

“I am not going to simply act like I did not have a damaged bone a number of weeks in the past,” Prescott mentioned “I’m nonetheless going to do some issues, however for probably the most half I am wholesome. It feels good. I grabbed the ball. The ball is snug in my hand. My grip is nice. Actually, placing it behind me and simply specializing in this sport plan.”

Prescott’s impending return has given the Cowboys an emotional carry.

“No. 1, his management capability, persona is top-notch, off the charts,” McCarthy mentioned. “So I imply that vitality undoubtedly has been felt surely. Anyone that is aware of Dak or has been a teammate of his understands the vitality that he brings every day.”

To McCarthy, “rhythm and timing” are what he appears for many when a quarterback is getting back from a multiweek absence.

“It is a problem to seize that on this quick a time period. There is not any query,” McCarthy mentioned. “However I feel that is why actually placing the ceiling on the workload is vital as a result of Lord is aware of he would throw 140 [Wednesday] for those who’d let him. We simply received to be sensible about that and belief the medical course of that he is going by way of.”

Elliott did not see any points in apply.

“In the present day he seemed actually good. In the present day the rhythm seemed actually good,” Elliott mentioned. “It did not seem like he missed a beat.”

Prescott believes watching the previous 5 weeks will assist him and the group.

“Loads of issues I would not essentially share, however I do know it’ll assist me and assist this group transferring ahead, serving to sure gamers, simply staying forward of the communication facet, whether or not or not it’s with the gamers, whether or not or not it’s with the coaches, speaking with the protection as a group, ensuring they keep collectively, perceive we’re on this collectively,” Prescott mentioned.

“Yeah, I discovered lots. As disappointing because it was, it was actually, actually enjoyable and a good time for me to develop and be taught extra about this group that actually I hadn’t been in a position to see from that perspective. Being harm earlier than [in 2020], I used to be gone after I harm my ankle, proper? I wasn’t essentially round making an attempt to get that proper.

“Being right here throughout this time, not lacking something, seeing the sport, seeing the best way every little thing performs out, I feel will probably be large transferring ahead.”