Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that Dak Prescott still has swelling in his surgically repaired hand, and the quarterback doesn’t have a timeline for when he’ll start throwing. Prescott had the stitches removed from his thumb Monday night and lightly threw a few passes before the start of the team’s pregame warmups.
The Cowboys did not place Prescott on injured reserve, expecting him to return sooner rather than later.
While no one has ruled out Prescott playing the Commanders on Sunday, Prescott said after Monday night’s win over the Giants that Week 5 against the Rams was probably more realistic for his comeback.
“No, probably not,” Prescott told USA Today Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes of playing against Washington. “But Week 5 against the Rams? He’s the one I’m looking at.”
Prescott was scheduled to meet with team medical staff this week to work out a rehabilitation plan. His return depends on his ability to firmly grip the ball.
“Some people agree with [sitting out], but I’m not built that way,” Prescott told Reyes. “It’s fucking killing me not being out there with my guys. It’s so hard, but I also know I have to be patient.
Prescott has worn a helmet the past two games as backup Cooper Rush led the Cowboys to victories over the Bengals and Giants. The veteran quarterback said the game slowed down for him watching from the sideline.
“It’s not that I’m learning new things about the defenses we’re up against or anything like that, but I’m seeing more and more how simple this game can be,” Prescott said. “Hearing the calls in the headset and seeing how the defenses line up from the touchline reinforces that sometimes all you have to do is slow down the game and go through play design. It can be so (expletive) simple. That’s what I can’t wait to get back to.
Prescott will return to the starting lineup once he’s ready, and it can’t come fast enough for him. But the Cowboys’ two wins without him lessened the sting of being on the sidelines in street clothes, Prescott said.
“Now that we win, everything is fine. And I will be back soon,” he said.