The Dallas Cowboys have been spending the preseason wondering if Dak Prescott will be ready to start in Week 1. Prescott, who had a latissimus strain in his right shoulder four weeks ago, has been slowly but surely ramping his production back up in the days since.
Head coach Mike McCarthy seemed very optimistic about Prescott back on August 23, saying “if you watched the throws on Saturday night, he’s making all the throws, the timing throws and so forth.” Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore told reporters on August 26 that Prescott was not being limited with any kind of “pitch count” at that point. And the quarterback returned to practice this week and seems to have shaken off some of the rust. Per reports, he “let it rip” on Friday.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott casually tossing passes of 40-plus air yards in warmups before showing good velocity in 7-on-7. He’s overcome an ankle fracture, latissimus strain and, worst of all, that second MRI to be ready for start of season. pic.twitter.com/eYxBfDa62x
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 28, 2021
Before the Cowboys’ final preseason game on Sunday, owner Jerry Jones appeared on the pregame radio program and was, of course, asked about Prescott’s progress. According to him, all signs point to Dak starting for Dallas in Week 1.
Jerry Jones on the #Cowboys pregame radio show said he’s convinced Dak Prescott healthy for Week 1: "He turned it loose and was none the worse for it. The MRIs are showing all systems go. He’s throwing with velocity (and) emphasis. Throwing on the run.’’
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 29, 2021
“He turned it loose and was none the worse for it,” Jones said. “The MRIs are showing all systems go. He’s throwing with velocity (and) emphasis. Throwing on the run.’’
It might seem a little strange for a team owner to make that kind of call instead of the head coach, but this is Jerry Jones we’re talking about. When you think of it like that, it actually makes a lot of sense.
So, short of some freak injury or setback, expect to see Dak Prescott lining up under center when the Cowboys kick off the 2021 NFL season against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 9.
Funny enough, it looks like the Cowboys’ infamous “it’s not a reason to worry” tweet was correct after all.
