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Cowboys had better hope Dak Prescott continues to be durable
10:00 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Making absolutes out of anything that happens in the preseason is not always the wisest thing to do, but for the Dallas Cowboys to have success in 2018, quarterback Dak Prescott must stay healthy.
Prescott was held out of Sunday’s 27-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium as the Cowboys chose to approach the normal dress-rehearsal game with all of the urgency of a Hall of Fame Game.
With injuries to Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith (hamstring) and Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin (knee) and Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick dealing with the effects of Guillain-Barre Syndrome that will likely keep him out for multiple weeks, the Cowboys did not want to risk injury to Prescott. They did not play running back Ezekiel Elliott, either, which means he will go into a season without a preseason carry for the first time in his career.
As much as the Cowboys’ offense will be about Elliott’s ability to run the ball in 2018, Prescott’s value grew as he watched from the sideline.
Cooper Rush, who has been the unquestioned backup to Prescott the entire offseason, completed 11 of 17 passes for 93 yards in the first half. He was sacked once and intercepted twice, including one that was returned by Patrick Peterson for a touchdown.
Rookie Mike White completed 17 of 22 passes for 157 yards and an interception. He lost a fumble one of the four times he was sacked in the second half.
A 45-yard field goal with 19 seconds left helped the Cowboys avoid their first preseason shutout since 2012.
“I think we’ll just take a good look at this and see where we are,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “My read is we’re not interested in doing anything at that position, bringing anybody in, but I never say never until we see the lay of the land at this time of the year relative to what our options are, if any. That’s not an equivocation. I just don’t want to say we’re solid here with those two.”
It’s a typical Jones comment, filled with double-speak, but it at least shows there is some level of concern to what the Cowboys have behind Prescott. Does it mean they will look at a trade (Teddy Bridgewater?) or add a veteran (pick a name out of a hat) or stick with Rush?
After directing two touchdown drives against the San Francisco 49ers in the first preseason game, Rush has directed the offense on 12 drives in the past two games against the Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals and gained 153 yards. More importantly, the Cowboys did not score a point. Seven of the drives failed to gain more than 9 yards.
He has not looked like the same quarterback who won the No. 2 job last summer as an undrafted free agent, when he threw six touchdown passes, was not intercepted and completed 74.5 percent of his passes.
“If you looked at how he played in the preseason last year, he just moved the team,” coach Jason Garrett said. “We score points and he was pretty productive every drive. The thing that you have to be careful of when you’re evaluating quarterbacks in the preseason is the combination of guys you are playing with.”
A year ago, Rush played with backups and never-would-bes and moved the team. While he did not have Elliott on Sunday, he played with three-fifths of the offensive line that will start the regular season along with all of the wide receivers and tight ends.
“Obviously we were depleted on the offensive line,” Garrett said, evidently neglecting the fact that Connor Williams, Joe Looney and La’el Collins will be the starting left guard, center and right tackle against Carolina for Prescott.
Prescott can cover up for some warts with his athleticism, which Rush can’t. He has a stronger arm and more experience.
He also has been durable. Prescott has not missed a snap because of injury in his first two seasons. He came close at one point last year because of a hand injury but was saved by an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown by Ryan Switzer.
As Prescott enters his third season, the Cowboys had better hope he can continue to be as durable.
In 39 preseason snaps, he completed 13 of 18 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers and the Bengals. In his four drives, the Cowboys scored 17 points -- two touchdowns and a field goal.
He ran once for 12 yards, picking up a first down. He was sacked twice.
“We’re comfortable that he’s had plenty of work and I’m just comfortable with that, happy we got it in,” Jones said. “He’s gotten so much work, competitive work in practice. [Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan] said that, but that’s really the thread, that’s the thing that was running through our logic [of Prescott not playing]. He’s gotten really good, competitive work in competitive situations.”
Most importantly, he will be rested and fresh for the Panthers.
10:00 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Making absolutes out of anything that happens in the preseason is not always the wisest thing to do, but for the Dallas Cowboys to have success in 2018, quarterback Dak Prescott must stay healthy.
Prescott was held out of Sunday’s 27-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium as the Cowboys chose to approach the normal dress-rehearsal game with all of the urgency of a Hall of Fame Game.
With injuries to Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith (hamstring) and Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin (knee) and Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick dealing with the effects of Guillain-Barre Syndrome that will likely keep him out for multiple weeks, the Cowboys did not want to risk injury to Prescott. They did not play running back Ezekiel Elliott, either, which means he will go into a season without a preseason carry for the first time in his career.
As much as the Cowboys’ offense will be about Elliott’s ability to run the ball in 2018, Prescott’s value grew as he watched from the sideline.
Cooper Rush, who has been the unquestioned backup to Prescott the entire offseason, completed 11 of 17 passes for 93 yards in the first half. He was sacked once and intercepted twice, including one that was returned by Patrick Peterson for a touchdown.
Rookie Mike White completed 17 of 22 passes for 157 yards and an interception. He lost a fumble one of the four times he was sacked in the second half.
A 45-yard field goal with 19 seconds left helped the Cowboys avoid their first preseason shutout since 2012.
“I think we’ll just take a good look at this and see where we are,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “My read is we’re not interested in doing anything at that position, bringing anybody in, but I never say never until we see the lay of the land at this time of the year relative to what our options are, if any. That’s not an equivocation. I just don’t want to say we’re solid here with those two.”
It’s a typical Jones comment, filled with double-speak, but it at least shows there is some level of concern to what the Cowboys have behind Prescott. Does it mean they will look at a trade (Teddy Bridgewater?) or add a veteran (pick a name out of a hat) or stick with Rush?
After directing two touchdown drives against the San Francisco 49ers in the first preseason game, Rush has directed the offense on 12 drives in the past two games against the Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals and gained 153 yards. More importantly, the Cowboys did not score a point. Seven of the drives failed to gain more than 9 yards.
He has not looked like the same quarterback who won the No. 2 job last summer as an undrafted free agent, when he threw six touchdown passes, was not intercepted and completed 74.5 percent of his passes.
“If you looked at how he played in the preseason last year, he just moved the team,” coach Jason Garrett said. “We score points and he was pretty productive every drive. The thing that you have to be careful of when you’re evaluating quarterbacks in the preseason is the combination of guys you are playing with.”
A year ago, Rush played with backups and never-would-bes and moved the team. While he did not have Elliott on Sunday, he played with three-fifths of the offensive line that will start the regular season along with all of the wide receivers and tight ends.
“Obviously we were depleted on the offensive line,” Garrett said, evidently neglecting the fact that Connor Williams, Joe Looney and La’el Collins will be the starting left guard, center and right tackle against Carolina for Prescott.
Prescott can cover up for some warts with his athleticism, which Rush can’t. He has a stronger arm and more experience.
He also has been durable. Prescott has not missed a snap because of injury in his first two seasons. He came close at one point last year because of a hand injury but was saved by an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown by Ryan Switzer.
As Prescott enters his third season, the Cowboys had better hope he can continue to be as durable.
In 39 preseason snaps, he completed 13 of 18 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers and the Bengals. In his four drives, the Cowboys scored 17 points -- two touchdowns and a field goal.
He ran once for 12 yards, picking up a first down. He was sacked twice.
“We’re comfortable that he’s had plenty of work and I’m just comfortable with that, happy we got it in,” Jones said. “He’s gotten so much work, competitive work in practice. [Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan] said that, but that’s really the thread, that’s the thing that was running through our logic [of Prescott not playing]. He’s gotten really good, competitive work in competitive situations.”
Most importantly, he will be rested and fresh for the Panthers.
