Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings due to his troublesome calf injury.
The Cowboys would like to decide Saturday but are willing to wait until Sunday before determining whether or not Prescott will play.
If Prescott sits out, Cooper Rush will make his first NFL start. He has thrown three career passes, all in 2017.
As for Prescott, he was a limited participant on Friday but reported soreness in the morning after pushing the pace during Thursday’s practice.
“He’s confident. He doesn’t waver. He wants to play, and he wants to continue to work toward that,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Friday.
Prescott sustained the calf strain in a Week 6 victory over the New England Patriots. The Cowboys followed with a bye week but that wasn’t enough time to allow the injury to heal.
He displayed earlier this week that he understands there is a risk if he returns too soon. Also, team trainer Britt Brown has to clear Prescott.
“It’s not fully my decision because there is a bigger picture,” Prescott said. “It’s more than just one game.”
The Cowboys have given Rush the bulk of the practice repetitions all week while Prescott has mainly been involved in individual drills and rehabbing the calf.
“That helps more than usual,” the 27-year-old Rush told reporters. “Usually you’re preparing for a game as the backup without getting any reps all week. So definitely going into it, you feel a whole lot better.”
McCarthy indicated he isn’t concerned if Rush gets the call.
“He’ll be ready to go,” McCarthy said. “If he’s up, he’ll be ready to go. We’ve still got some time.”
In addition to Prescott, Dallas listed left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) and defensive end Dorance Armstrong (ankle) as questionable.
Minnesota will play without defensive tackle Michael Pierce (elbow), defensive end Patrick Jones II (knee) and tight end Ben Ellefson (knee, foot). Ellefson was placed on injured reserve Thursday and must miss at least three games.
Vikings wideout Dede Westbrook (ankle) is questionable.
–Field Level Media
