Dak Prescott won't play in Hall of Fame game, Cowboys being 'more conservative' with shoulder rehab
The Dak Prescott comeback train is moving at a slower pace than expected.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told the media Tuesday that after some research, they've decided to be "more conservative" with their quarterback's rehab from a late July shoulder strain. McCarthy said that this is not a setback in Prescott's recovery; they're taking it slow to prevent this injury from becoming an actual setback.
"We still feel the same about the type of injury, but we're just being more conservative with the timeline," McCarthy said via the team website.
"After research and looking at it, we just don't want this to turn into something big," McCarthy said Tuesday. "He's doing everything that he possibly can. But we're just being a little more conservative with the rehab.
"If it were in-season, I think it would be a different outlook. But because of where we are, having the extra week [of preseason], we just want to make sure this doesn't turn into something bigger."
Prescott won't play in Hall of Fame Game
McCarthy also announced that Prescott wouldn't throw at practice on Tuesday and won't play in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game.
Prescott said that he's fine with the conservative approach, but that this injury wouldn't stop him from starting in the regular season.
"I doubt it," Prescott said via the team website. "I know we're early. It's early in training camp. I'm obviously trying to get to the season and get to the season healthy. That was the main reason … I doubt in a game that [an absence] happens."
McCarthy didn't give a timeline for when Prescott might start throwing again. In his absence, second stringer Garrett Gilbert has been taking reps with the first team. Additional backups Cooper Rush and Ben DiNucci have also subbed in, and all three are expected to play Thursday night.
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