Dak Prescott Injury Update: Cowboys QB Eyes Return For Opener, But Concerns Remain

The Dallas Cowboys insist there is no reason to worry about Dak Prescott, but there are plenty of questions regarding the quarterback’s injured right shoulder. Prescott is scheduled to undergo an MRI with just four weeks remaining until the start of the 2021 NFL season.

When Prescott was ruled out of the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 5 with a shoulder strain, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team was taking a conservative approach with its franchise quarterback. Prescott has only done some light throwing in practice since last week, and he won’t suit up for Friday’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Prescott will have his shoulder checked again Monday with two games left on the preseason schedule. The 28-year-old told reporters that he'd find a way to play if the regular season was underway. Prescott is targeting a return to the field for Dallas’ third exhibition game on Aug. 21.

There are concerns that Dallas hasn’t been completely truthful about Prescott’s shoulder. Legendary Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman believes the Cowboys are downplaying the injury, and eyebrows have been raised with Prescott’s upcoming MRI.

It’s been 10 months since Prescott played in an NFL game. His 2020 season ended in Week 5 when he suffered a fractured ankle that required two surgeries. The quarterback entered OTAs with the intention of being a full-go in training camp, but his plans have been derailed by his shoulder injury.

“We got to be very conservative with him,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan’s “K&C Masterpiece.” “Obviously you saw him throwing the ball around. He looks great. I know some people get a little jiggy in terms of thinking it must be something or they’d have him out there. This is a long preseason, and we’re a week ahead of everybody else. He’s taken it all in as you can see out there. We’re going to bring him along and we’re going to do it the right way, and we’re going to protect him from himself.”

It makes sense that the Cowboys are being cautious with Prescott. The team signed Prescott to a four-year, $160 million contract in March. Dallas will pay him a record $75 million this year.

If Prescott is healthy, the Cowboys are overwhelming favorites to win the NFC East and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Dallas went 2-3 with Prescott under center last season. The Cowboys had a 4-7 record in Prescott’s absence.

The Cowboys visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9 to kick off the regular season.