Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is an 'ingredient to our success,' Jerry Jones says

Despite losing quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1 of the 2022 season, the Dallas Cowboys have instead racked up three straight wins to sit at 3-1 at the start of October. While Prescott is progressing nicely in his recovery, Dallas might have to go yet another week without him.

As the Cowboys look ahead to a new week, team owner Jerry Jones is not certain that Prescott is ready to throw strongly enough to compete for a win. Following the Cowboys’ win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Jones explained more.

“(Cooper) Rush gives us a chance,” Jones said, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. “But as we look to the future, Dak is an ingredient to our success that is a must. … Because of the nature of the way they repaired it, you don’t have to have healed (completely to throw) the ball. Because that’s the deal. They put a plate in there and because of where this is located, you don’t have to have full healing.”

When pressed for a return date, Jones did not have an answer.

“I can’t give you anything medically,” Jones said, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “I don’t think anybody knows how he’s going to grip the ball.” 

Prescott has not played since that Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers after he fractured his thumb, resulting in surgery. He has since been replaced by Cooper Rush, who has carried the Cowboys to three straight wins. Rush has been solid in all three of his starts, too, throwing for over 200 yards in each game, totaling four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Prescott will remain the starter when ready

While Dallas is unbeaten with Rush starting, there is no doubt that it will turn back to Prescott when the time comes. Prescott has thrown for over 4,000 yards in two of his last three seasons, failing to hit that mark in 2020 only because of a season-ending injury that cut his year short. Prescott is firmly planted as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback and the team has made that clear, despite the success from Rush.

“I’m just trying to say this with a straight face,” head coach Mike McCarthy said recently, according to ESPN. “Like anything, you look at the whole thing, it’s about winning. That’s all we really care about. There is no quarterback controversy. … Dak is our starter.”

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Until Prescott is able to return for Dallas, it will be Rush who is attempting to carry it to victory. The Cowboys now sit at 3-1 on the season and have two divisional wins under their belt. However, the next few weeks will get difficult, as Dallas will travel to face the defending Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams on the road, followed by another divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys and Rams will kick at 3:25 p.m. CT next Sunday. The game will be shown on FOX.