The Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 and have sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Philadelphia, Washington, and New York (Giants) are all tied with a 2-5 record.
The Cowboys’ sole loss came in Week 1 to the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Since then, the team has been sailing along though the New England Patriots gave them fits in Week 6.
Though the Cowboys ultimately won the game, quarterback Dak Prescott strained his calf in the final plays of the game.
The bye week, in Week 7, was intended to rest and heal Prescott before the Week 8 Sunday night game against the Minnesota Vikings.
It appears Prescott may not be healthy enough to go against the Vikings.
The #Cowboys list QB Dak Prescott as questionable with a calf injury after being limited in practice.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2021
He is officially listed as questionable.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott came to Star sore today after pushing strained calf more yesterday than he had. Big-picture considerations with at least 11 games to play. pic.twitter.com/6oTzj04nvn
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 29, 2021
It sounds as though he was trying to practice hard after some time off and potentially aggravated it.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (calf) was sore today after ramping up intensity in Thursday’s practice, coach Mike McCarthy said. On decision ahead about Sunday status: “It’s more than just one game. We’re obviously in our seventh game, so there is a ton of football left to play.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 29, 2021
As the Cowboys prepare to travel to Minnesota, his status remains up in the air.
The only thing that seems certain is that he is traveling with the team.
I would expect Dak Prescott to be available as a sideline asset to Cooper Rush if the backup QB makes his first NFL start. If Prescott plays, it seems likely #Cowboys will have 3 active QBs, including Will Grier as the No. 3. https://t.co/vkz3Lc33T1
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 30, 2021
Cowboys Will Rise Or Fall With Prescott
This team is getting nowhere fast with Cooper Rush or Will Grier under center.
That is no slight on either player, but the Cowboys spent a lot of money to extend Prescott in the offseason because they know he is their ride or die player.
It is true that this is a long season ahead; 17 games to be exact.
The Cowboys have 11 more regular-season games; they already had their bye in Week 7.
Perhaps this is more about conserving Prescott and hoping to maintain a strong NFC East lead until he is closer to 100%.
Prescott’s Injuries
In the past year, Prescott has been afflicted with them.
First was the devastating ankle injury that curtailed his 2020.
It required surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Then, there was the shoulder injury that occurred during training camp.
It was enough to keep him out of preseason play in its entirety.
Since the regular season began, Prescott has been outstanding.
Hopefully, his calf injury heals quickly because the Cowboys have jumped out to one of the best starts in years.
