Dak Prescott: 'I am' starting Sunday's game vs Detroit Lions

After missing five games with a fractured right thumb, Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott said on Thursday that he’s going to start this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. It would be his first appearance since Week 1, when he originally hurt his throwing thumb.

Prescott was medically cleared to play and practice this week and said he wasn’t on a pitch count in practice. Reporters asked him on Thursday if he would be starting this weekend.

“I am,” Prescott said. He then saw some surprised looks from reporters and clarified, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “I think, anyways,” he added.

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Prescott is expected to start on Sunday and has been inching closer to this return for a few weeks now. Last week he started to pick up the pace with physical activities and moved to fully practicing this week.

According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Prescott confirmed that there was no pitch count for him in practice recently.

“There’s no restrictions. I’m happy to be back,” he said.

And while the Cowboys rode an impressive defense and the mostly-steady hand of backup quarterback Cooper Rush to a 4-1 record absent the starting quarterback, the ceiling certainly climbs with their star signal caller available.

Plus, for a competitor like Prescott, sitting on the sideline can be as anguishing as any injury. He spoke earlier during his recovery about how the week of prep is often more difficult than the games. During the games themselves, he can get lost in the competition and supporting his teammates.

“The week may be a little bit tougher, knowing that you want to be in there game-planning, practicing and all that,” Prescott said earlier in October. “But when you come out here and it’s game day, I know I’ve got a job and that’s (to) support the 48. And that’s the best thing that I can do. It’s exciting to see what these guys can do.”

Now, he doesn’t have to do that any more.

“I’m thankful that I’m healthy,” Prescott said Thursday.