Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys are slowing the pace of quarterback Dak Prescott’s return from a shoulder strain.
McCarthy said Tuesday the team has “taken a step back” and wants to be conservative with any throwing and shoulder use with Prescott with more than a month before the team kicks off the regular season against Tampa Bay.
Prescott did not throw Tuesday and is out for the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.
“After research and looking at, we just don’t want this to turn into something big,” McCarthy said. “We’re just being a little more conservative with the rehab.”
When he resumes throwing, Prescott will be on a “pitch count,” per McCarthy.
Garrett Gilbert has taken the first-team reps at quarterback since Prescott left the team’s first padded practice in Oxnard, Calif., last Wednesday.
Prescott is dressed and attending practices, sometimes throwing left-handed and other times tucking the ball and running instead.
He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain and given a timetable of two weeks to return to full practice. McCarthy said Tuesday the diagnosis remains the same — shoulder strain — but the timetable for Prescott to practice without limitation has been revised.
Prescott enters the 2021 season with a new long-term deal signed in the offseason worth $160 million over four years.
Team owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys have “no concern” with Prescott’s health after he ended the season on injured reserve with an ankle injury that required surgery.
Prescott said upon arrival at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., that he’s in the best shape of his career. He missed the final 11 games of the 2020 season.
–Field Level Media