With the Cowboys preparing for arguably their biggest game of the season this Sunday against the Eagles, Dak Prescott continues to recover from a thumb injury suffered in Week 1.
The quarterback's status remans unclear. Though head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Wednesday that Dallas is preparing to start Cooper Rush for the fifth straight game, Prescott returned to the practice field Thursday and was listed as "limited" on the injury report, an upgrade from his previous status.
Rush has gone 4-0 as the Cowboys' starter this season, which has bought the Cowboys a bit more time to let Prescott fully recover.
However, McCarthy has continued to emphasize that Prescott is the team's starting quarterback when healthy, despite owner Jerry Jones floating the idea of a QB competition.
MORE: Troy Aikman weighs in on Cowboys' Cooper Rush vs. Dak Prescott QB debate
So how much longer will we have to wait to see Dak back in action? Here's everything we know about his injury and possible return.
How long will Dak Prescott be out with a thumb injury?
Prescott most recently declared himself "day-to-day" after the Cowboys' Week 5 win over the Rams.
Dak Prescott said tonight he’s gripping the football now and labels himself as “day-to-day” — looking to take the next step in practice in Week 6.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 10, 2022
“Things are happening fast.” - Dak
Will he throw to WRs this week?
“I’ll push and start doing all of that.”
However, following Mike McCarthy's declaration that the team is preparing to start Rush against the Eagles, it looks likely that he'll be out for at least another week.
Prescott seems to be making slow and steady progress after undergoing surgery on his right thumb last month. He told reporters he was planning on throwing to his receivers in practice this week.
That is expected to happen on Wednesday, per Patrik Walker.
Dak Prescott is expected to do some light throwing to #Cowboys WRs on Wednesday— though it’ll be Cooper Rush getting the start vs. Eagles. pic.twitter.com/ufWJXogRuJ
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 12, 2022
It seems Prescott did some throwing Thursday, but he was coy about it when approached by reporters.
Asked CeeDee Lamb if Dak Prescott threw during practice today as opposed to after practice, he declined to answer...hmm
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 13, 2022
Asked Prescott if he threw during practice, he laughed and ran away before putting his thumb and pointer finger together, signifying a little bit#DallasCowboys
While Prescott is moving in the right direction, he still clearly needs more time before he's ready to return. Look for Prescott to target a comeback in Week 7 against the Lions or Week 8 against the Bears.
Dak Prescott thumb injury updates
Thursday, Oct. 13
Prescott participates in practice for the first time since Week 1 and is listed as "limited" on the team's official injury report, but his status for the Eagles game remains unclear.
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Prescott is expected to throw the football for the first time since his thumb surgery on Sept. 12. However, it is off to the side and not as a part of official practice, per Todd Archer.
Monday, Oct. 10
Prescott says he is "day-to-day" and has started gripping the football again. He also says he is planning on throwing to his receivers in practice sometime in the coming week.
Sunday, Oct. 9
Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report that Prescott would need to make "significant strides" if he was to return in Week 6 against the Eagles. They say the QB had done some "very light throwing" but that he's still regaining grip strength in his right hand.
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks on Prescott's injury, saying he is making progress.
"I don't know that you could ask for better news, technically [and] physically [with] how it's responding, how it's healing," Jones said.
But he also admitted the QB needed more time to recover.
"No, not well enough to play," Jones responded when asked about Prescott's ability to grip the ball. "Yesterday was a day off... We're just starting the week. Let's see how the week goes."
Sunday, Oct. 2
ESPN reports Prescott is "ideally" eyeing a return in Week 5 against the Rams. Adam Schefter reported that the QB had stitches removed from his thumb and began throwing the ball in practice.
Monday, Sept. 26
ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters said she spoke to Prescott about his injury ahead of the Cowboys' Week 3 game against the Giants.
The quarterback said his thumb "feels great" and implied that he may be able to return to action soon.
“He was gonna go talk to the doctor right afterward,” Salters reported on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast. “He’ll hopefully get the green light to start gripping and throwing the football again. When I asked him when he’s thinking he might be back, he said ‘a couple of weeks and I’m counting this as one of them.’ “
Dak Prescott told @saltersl he is not ruling out a return next week 👀 pic.twitter.com/466Rz4kYkP
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 27, 2022
Sunday, Sept. 11
In the Cowboys' season-opener, Prescott's hand collided with Bucs pass rusher Shaq Barrett on a pass attempt. He appeared to mouth "it's broken" to Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.
Following the game, Jones said Prescott would undergo hand surgery and miss several weeks.
"He has an injury above his joint in his thumb, up here, that'll need surgery. … Dak will be out for a little while," Jones told reporters. "Of course when you add to it, right there at the end, to lose him for several weeks. We'll see more about how many weeks that may be."
Prescott also addressed the media, saying that he didn't feel the injury was too bad at the time.
"I thought I jammed it, I've hit my hand on helmets or bodies a lot in my career, and never really had anything, maybe jam a finger here," Prescott said. "That's what I thought it was. The next play I couldn't grip the ball, I let the sideline know. When I got off, I told the trainers the same thing — 'If I yank it, it'll be OK.'"
