Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is hoping to return to the field in NFL Week 5, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is sending mixed messages about whether he'll be able to do so.
Jones was asked about Prescott's thumb injury Tuesday during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show. First, the Cowboys' owner acknowledged that Prescott was making progress in his recovery from a thumb injury.
"I don't know that you could ask for better news, technically [and] physically [with] how it's responding, how it's healing," Jones said.
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Certainly, that's good news for Prescott. He has been out since suffering a thumb injury in Week 1 that was expected to sideline him for several weeks. He wanted to come back to play in early October, and now, it looks like there may be a chance for him to do that.
However, Jones also explained that there were still some issues with Prescott's overall health. Most notably, his grip strength hasn't fully returned, and that has impacted his ability to hold onto the ball.
As such, Jones isn't sure whether Prescott will be able to hold the ball well enough to play in Week 5 against the Rams.
"No, not well enough to play," Jones responded when asked about Prescott's ability to grip the ball.
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Still, Jones isn't ready to rule Prescott out for the contest, as he told the hosts of the show.
"Yesterday was a day off, he said. "We're just starting the week. Let's see how the week goes."
If Prescott can't start for the Cowboys, then backup Cooper Rush would get another chance to occupy that role. He has led the Cowboys to a 3-0 record in his three starts this season and has a record of 4-0 as a starter during his career. That has spanned five NFL seasons but he has only seen action over the last calendar year.
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Rush's strong performance in place of Prescott has drawn some buzz and has led many to ask whether Rush would start over Prescott even when the veteran returns.
Jones quashed that possibility during his radio appearance on Tuesday.
"No; no; no," Jones said of Rush starting over a healthy Cooper. "As I see it right today."
