Dak Prescott has missed the last five games with a fractured thumb, but the quarterback got promising news this week. Prescott was medically cleared on Wednesday from an injury he sustained hitting his hand on the helmet of Bucs edge rusher Shaq Barrett in week one.
The Cowboys won four games with Cooper Rush, and he did great filling in during Dak’s absence. His play allowed them to buy an extra week or two for Prescott to recover. Did anyone really believe Jerry Jones when he said Prescott would return in as little as two weeks?
He took first-team reps in a 70-play mock game on Wednesday, and when asked on Thursday after practice if he was starting Sunday, he replied he was.
CeeDee Lamb said Prescott was back when asked how he looked in his first full return to practice. He added that he made some big-time throws on Thursday.
Kellen Moore shouldn’t change the offense’s identity if Dak does indeed start Sunday; run the football early and often and open up easy throws for him to get into a rhythm. Zero point to bringing him back throwing the ball 35 times a game.
Sure, the Cowboys can work in a few more explosive plays with Prescott back under center, but given the pace at which Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are running the football, let them continue to be the focal point.
As noted above, I hope to see the offense stretch the defense more than they did with Rush taking the snaps; their styles of play are a touch different. We all can agree on that, I hope. It is not bad; Prescott can get out on the move a bit more and use his legs.
They only have 12 pass plays of 20 yards or more, no matter who’s at QB, and that number needs to be more significant. Dallas is only converting on third down 30% of the time; through six games last year, they covered nearly 50%, ran 420 plays, and had 25 pass plays of 20 yards or more.
I get it; Prescott was not good in week one. The entire offense was terrible. It is a small sample size, but the Cowboys came out flat against the Broncos last year and still had the number one offense; it happens.
The lack of touches in the run game against Tampa Bay was also a problem, but look how well things have gone since they recommitted to it. Over the last five weeks, they have improved, and with Prescott returning, I expect it to be even better.
I don’t expect fireworks from the offense because that is not how they need to operate. I do expect the offense to elevate, though, and those who have watched enough should know that Prescott being sidelined has let Moore dial back into what works best for them.
The Cowboys couldn’t have asked for a better situation; they’re right in the thick of the NFC with QB1 finally on the mend.