Tag: Prescott

Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and guard Zack Martin (70) celebrates a touchdown scored by running back Tony Pollard (not pictured) during the second half against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys restructure deals for Dak Prescott, Zack Martin

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys cleared about $30 million in cap space Friday by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and right guard Zack Martin.

The moves put the Cowboys under the 2023 salary cap with the free agency window opening next week.

Prescott was guaranteed $31 million for next season and carried a $49.1 million cap hit. The team converted $29 million of his salary into a signing bonus, clearing $21.75 million of cap space, per Spotrac.

Dallas also converted $12 million of Martin’s 2023 salary into a signing bonus, clearing another roughly $9 million in cap space.

Prescott, 29, passed for 2,860 yards with 23 touchdowns and a league-high 15 interceptions in 12 starts (8-4 record) last season.

Martin, 32, made his eighth Pro Bowl and earned his sixth first-team All-Pro selection after starting all 17 games last season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy before a NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Jones: Mike McCarthy to call plays in 2023

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s official: Mike McCarthy will call offensive plays for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.

That from owner/general manager Jerry Jones, who told reporters at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday that McCarthy will bring a version of the offense he ran in Green Bay to the Cowboys next season.

“This is the logical step to build on it and use what we’ve established, if you will, the foundation of wins we got. This is the time to build on it and that’s what this is, this a building step,” Jones said.

McCarthy was head coach for the Packers from 2006-18 and called the offense for the majority of that time. He was also an offensive coordinator for New Orleans and San Francisco before taking over the reins in Green Bay.

The Cowboys parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on Sunday. Moore hooked on as OC with the Los Angeles Chargers less than 24 hours later.

“I think Mike felt it was in our best interest to keep Kellen when he first got here because Kellen’s outstanding,” Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones said. “The more he’s been around Kellen, as much as he respects him, there’s still a part of it that don’t totally jibe, if you will, with what he wants.”

Jerry Jones also confirmed that the Cowboys have talked with Carolina Panthers running backs coach/assistant head coach Jeff Nixon and Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach/assistant head coach Thomas Brown to replace Moore as OC.

Jerry Jones said the team will resume talking with wideout Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency. The team flirted with Beckham late in the 2022 season but with the WR continuing to rehab from ACL surgery, he likely would not have been able to suit up. Beckham missed the entire 2022 season.

Both Jerry and Stephen Jones also told reporters the team wants to retain running back Ezekiel Elliott. The team could dump Elliott’s contract with just a $11.8 million cap hit in 2023. The team signed Elliott to a six-year, $90 million extension in September 2019.

Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts) in 2022. Elliott missed time with a knee injury and at times took a back seat with the emergence of Tony Pollard.

Further, Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are committed to quarterback Dak Prescott and are open to extending his contract to lower his cap hit. The team signed Prescott to a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March 2021. Year 1 of the extension kicks in for the 2023 season, giving the Cowboys a $49.1 million cap hit.

However, Jerry Jones also said the team is committed to drafting a quarterback, saying the Cowboys should have committed to drafting one every year years ago.

Prescott injured his thumb in Week 1 against Tampa on Sept. 11 that required insertion of a steel plate and screws to promote healing in his right hand. He returned Week 7 against Detroit.

Jerry Jones also confirmed that wide receiver Michael Gallup underwent two arthroscopic surgeries Tuesday on his knee and ankle. The knee was a meniscus repair and the other was clean-up of his ankle. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the offseason program in April.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz (63) is helped off the field after an injury during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys C Tyler Biadasz to undergo MRI on ankle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys starting center Tyler Biadasz will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the ankle injury he sustained in Thursday night’s win over the Tennessee Titans.

The Cowboys believe Biadasz suffered a high-ankle sprain, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones said during a radio appearance that he was hopeful the injury “may not be as bad as we think.”

“But we’ll see how he responds,” Jones added.

Jones also told 105.3 The Fan that quarterback Dak Prescott likely hyperextended his knee during the game. Prescott came up limping after a second-half play but never came out of the game.

“He’s in good shape,” Jones said Friday. “He might have hyperextended it a little bit. We were checking with the sideline and we knew he was going to be good.”

Biadasz was injured on the final play of the third quarter during the Cowboys’ 27-13 win. He did not return and was in a walking boot standing on the sideline during the fourth quarter.

Prior to the injury, Biadasz was the Cowboys’ snap counts leader on offense, having played in 100 percent of the offensive snaps, save for end-of-game blowouts against Minnesota and Indianapolis. He started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2021.

Jones also said he expects running back Tony Pollard (thigh) to return in Week 18.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys plan full OBJ Day in, around Dallas next 24 hours

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Call it Odell Beckham Jr. Day in and around Dallas, where the Cowboys kicked off a schedule of events Monday morning with the intent of luring the free agent receiver to sign with the team for the final regular-season games and playoffs.

Beckham’s agent confirmed he would be at The Star for a medical check-up, meet with team officials and cap the evening with a trip to the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA game with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Head coach Mike McCarthy and owner Jerry Jones echoed Prescott’s bold push for the team to land Beckham, who has not played this season while recovering from his second career ACL tear. The knee injury took place during the Super Bowl as a member of the Los Angeles Rams in February nearly 11 months ago.

“Hopefully an agreement can be worked out. I think it’ll be great to get him in the building,” McCarthy said Friday.

While away from the field, Beckham did remain in the news cycle in recent weeks.

He was removed from a flight out of Miami when the crew noted he was “in and out of consciousness” but Jones said that matter is not of any significance to the Cowboys.

Dallas has a 9-3 record and plays AFC South teams in succession before what could be a division-deciding contest with the Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) on Christmas Eve.

The Cowboys have competition in the Beckham bidding. But Dallas has $6.3 million available under the salary cap, more than the New York Giants or Buffalo Bills combined, and Beckham reportedly prefers a warmer climate — and a two-year contract — because of the multiple knee injuries in his past.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Beckham, 30, has 531 career catches for 7,367 yards and 56 touchdowns in 96 games with the Giants (2014-18), Cleveland Browns (2019-21) and Rams (2021).

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws during the first half against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys run over Lions in second half as Dak Prescott returns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ezekiel Elliott scored on two 1-yard plunges and the Dallas defense forced five second-half turnovers as the Cowboys defeated the visiting Detroit Lions 24-6 on Sunday.

Dak Prescott, playing in his first game since suffering a broken right thumb in the season opener, passed for 207 yards while completing 19 of 25 attempts. He threw his first touchdown pass of the season with less than two minutes remaining.

Elliott gained 57 yards on 15 carries, while Tony Pollard rushed for 83 yards on 12 carries. Cee Dee Lamb caught four passes for 70 yards for Dallas (5-2).

The Lions’ Jared Goff passed for 228 yards but fumbled twice and was picked off two times. Jamaal Williams gained 79 yards on 15 carries but committed a pivotal turnover.

The Lions (1-5) led 6-3 at halftime. Michael Badgley put Detroit on the scoreboard with a 40-yard field goal with 3:58 left in the first quarter.

Brett Maher’s 22-yard field goal, which capped a 72-yard Dallas drive, tied it up early in the second. Badgley’s 53-yard field goal put Detroit back on top.

Dallas had a good chance to at least tie the game late in the half, but wide receiver Noah Brown fumbled and the Lions recovered at their own 3-yard line.

Trevon Diggs intercepted Goff to end Detroit’s first possession of the second half. The Cowboys then embarked on a seven-play, 82-yard drive, which included a 28-yard run by Pollard. Elliott capped it off with a 1-yard run.

Detroit saw a 79-yard drive flame out early in the fourth quarter. After his team reached the Dallas 1, Williams fumbled on a hit by Demarcus Lawrence and linebacker Anthony Barr recovered.

Goff was intercepted by cornerback Jourdan Lewis with 8:29 left, leading to Dallas’ clinching touchdown. Prescott hit Brown with two passes on the 54-yard drive, which was capped by Elliott’s second touchdown of the game.

Dallas regained the ball two plays after the next kickoff when Goff fumbled on a strip sack by Sam Williams. Prescott found Peyton Hendershot from 2 yards out to complete the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott , owner Jerry Jones and receiver Amari Cooper talk prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Jones: Cowboys expect Dak Prescott to start Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Everyone in Dallas is on the same page: Dak Prescott should start Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Owner Jerry Jones seconded Prescott’s opinion that this is the week the quarterback returns from a thumb injury on Sept. 11 that required insertion of a steel plate and screws to promote healing in his right hand.

“He’s determined to (start),” Jones told 105.3 FM The Fan on Tuesday. “From my perspective, I think he’s gonna get there. We feel like physically (he’s ready to return). He’s going to be given every opportunity this week to go play. He looks ready to go.”

Thumb strength and, specifically, grip strength, kept Prescott from playing Week 6 in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that dropped the Cowboys to 4-2. Prescott is 0-1 as a starter this season and watched backup Cooper Rush go 4-1 to keep the Cowboys in contention in the NFC East. The loss at Philadelphia dropped Dallas into third place in the division behind the Eagles (6-0) and New York Giants (5-1).

Jones said Tuesday the question would be getting Prescott ready. The quarterback is at the team facility on Tuesday — players are technically off — undergoing treatment to make sure he’s doing all he can to return this week without limitations.

“I think he’ll be back and we’ll get to do anything we want to do,” Jones said. “I think we’ve got it all there. I don’t think there will be any limitations.”

Prescott moved from the rehab group to a limited participant in position drills at midweek last week, taking snaps and throwing passes. He was officially questionable to face the Eagles, although coach Mike McCarthy indicated he wanted the seventh-year quarterback to have a full week of practice before returning to game action.

Prescott, 29, said Sunday night that’s his goal this week.

“I plan on going into this week and trying to get my full week of practice,” Prescott said. “Obviously, got to see the doc, but, yeah, that’s kind of my plan.”

With Prescott out, Rush led the Cowboys to four straight victories before throwing three interceptions in a loss to the unbeaten Eagles on Sunday night.

In 2021, Prescott completed a career-high 68.8 percent of his passes and threw for 4,449 yards and a team-record 37 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up with injured Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) watching at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott to rest sore thumb Friday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dak Prescott participated in individual drills and was more involved in Thursday’s practice than the Dallas Cowboys anticipated.

Prescott was upgraded to limited participation Thursday, his first practice in more than four weeks.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said the result is a sore surgically repaired right thumb, which prompted the Cowboys to rest Prescott and keep him out of Friday’s practice. McCarthy said the Cowboys consider Prescott in “regeneration” mode.

Prescott is four weeks and change removed from fracturing the thumb on his throwing hand in the Sept. 11 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCarthy said the big picture remains entirely positive with Prescott, who will resume throwing Saturday and before Sunday’s game at Philadelphia.

“The last two days he hit the target. (Friday) will be a recovery day for him,” McCarthy said. “We’re on schedule. He’s getting better.”

But Cooper Rush is in line to start his fifth consecutive game since Prescott went down.

The Cowboys (4-1) do expect linebacker Micah Parsons (groin) and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (chest) to be on the field for the NFC East showdown with the Eagles (5-0).

Rush said it’s important to note Prescott hasn’t been on the field, but he has impacted the end result.

“I’ve said before he’s helped tremendously with our room, myself, and everyone else on the sidelines,” Rush said. “He’s bringing energy, that’s just who he is as a person or a leader.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) sets to pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys QB Cooper Rush preparing to start vs. Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cooper Rush is preparing to start for the fifth consecutive week as the Dallas Cowboys monitor the recovery of fellow quarterback Dak Prescott from thumb surgery.

Rush is 4-0 since entering the lineup as an injury replacement for Prescott, whose initial medical prognosis called for a 4-to-6 week recovery window.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Prescott would need to be convincing in workouts this week with his ability to “spin the football,” a reference to his ability to grip the ball and throw it on target with needed velocity. Prescott was not able to fully grip the ball last week, and head coach Mike McCarthy described his practice activity on Wednesday — four days before the primetime matchup against the host Philadelphia Eagles — as “light throwing” on the side.

“We are preparing for Cooper to start against the Eagles,” McCarthy said Wednesday.

Prescott said he felt “great” throwing for the first time. He got backing from a wide receiver as well.

“It was good to see him out there doing it,” Michael Gallup said, per The Dallas Morning News. “He’ll be back out there soon.”

Prescott told the Fort Worth-Star Telegram that he’s “antsy” to return.

“But excited that my guys are doing what they got to do,” he said Wednesday.

Prescott has been part of the “rehab group” in practice since surgery on Sept. 12, McCarthy said. His limited participation this week would represent a step forward, but the giant stride toward starting for the Cowboys appears to be at least one week away.

The Eagles (5-0) are the NFL’s only undefeated team, while Dallas has leaned heavily on a strong defense to hold second place in the division at 4-1.

The Cowboys’ strong pass rush leads the NFL in quarterback hits and Dallas has 20 sacks this season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Jones: Cowboys to test Dak Prescott’s ‘spin’ Wed.

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dak Prescott could get the thumbs up for Week 6, but only if he passes the spin test.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday the doubt around Prescott is whether he has enough hand and grip strength in his right thumb to spin the ball with the velocity needed to throw passes on target. If he can, Jones and the Cowboys should get Prescott back in the lineup Sunday with the NFC East lead on the line against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (5-0).

“He’s gotta really be able to spin the ball,” Jones said. “We’ll start working on that Wednesday real hard. We know Dak Prescott can play, but can he spin the ball?”

Backup Cooper Rush spun a four-game winning streak since replacing the injured Prescott. Dallas scored a defensive touchdown to down the Los Angeles Rams last week and improve to 4-1, firmly in second place in the division by virtue of a head-to-head win over the 4-1 New York Giants.

Grip was the issue for Prescott last week. He attempted to strengthen his hand and right thumb following the removal of a stitch left over from surgery last month. But Prescott couldn’t keep the ball locked in with his grip and continued in the rehab phase.

Jones said there is no thought from the franchise that Rush would remain in the lineup even after Prescott is fully cleared.

“When we get him back, that’ll be a real additive. We’ll be a mess (for opponents) if we can keep playing defense like this,” Jones said.

Defense has driven the Cowboys’ rise in the standings.

Dallas ranks first in quarterback hits, is tied for first in rushing touchdowns allowed (1), second in sacks (20) and third in points allowed per game (14.3).

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up in front of quarterback Dak Prescott before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott targets Week 5 return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott expects to return to the starting lineup in two weeks.

Stitches were removed from Prescott’s surgically repaired right thumb on Monday and he said the chances of him playing this weekend against the Washington Commanders are slim.

“Nah, probably not,” he told USA Today. “But Week 5 against the Rams? That’s the one I’m looking at.”

The Cowboys face the Rams in Los Angeles before a matchup with the NFC East-leading Eagles in primetime Week 6.

Prescott was on hand for the Cowboys’ win over the New York Giants on Monday night as Dallas improved to 2-0 with backup Cooper Rush at the controls. Prescott fractured his thumb in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was projected to miss six weeks.

Rush threw a game-winning TD pass to CeeDee Lamb in the fourth quarter on Monday to break a 13-13 tie with the Giants.

Before the game, Prescott was able to lightly grip the football and played catch on the sideline. He said tightening his grip strength is the next step — and perhaps final obstacle — before he’s back at the helm.

“Some people are OK with (sitting out), but I’m not built that way,” Prescott said. “It’s (expletive) killing me not being out there with my guys. It’s so hard but I also know I got to be patient.”

–Field Level Media