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UPDATE: In additional Dak Prescott injury news, ESPN reports the Cowboys’ quarterback won’t practice much this week prior to playing in Sunday’s game.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles likely without taking any meaningful snaps in practice during the week because of his sprained right shoulder, according to a source. Prescott was limited at a practice for the first time in his career on Wednesday. He did not take a snap and will likely also be listed as limited over the next two days, with the club looking to be cautious with his health heading into a de facto NFC East championship game against the Eagles.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW.
Dak Prescott’s shoulder injury adds a new dynamic of uncertainty heading into Sunday’s huge Week 16 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. While the expectation is that Prescott — who has never missed a start — will still play, former NFL team doctor David J. Chao isn’t so certain. And even if Prescott does play, Chao thinks the quarterback’s ability to throw down the field could be “severely hindered.”
Big news on #DakPrescott @dallascowboys at https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG.
— David J. Chao (@ProFootballDoc) December 18, 2019
Just because the shoulder MRI didn't show a tear, doesn't mean he can throw and be effective vs @Eagles. pic.twitter.com/pgIq0wyksE
From @ProFootballDoc, on Dak Prescott’s shoulder. (He is not treating Dak) pic.twitter.com/PVgWYuNnoq
— (@RochesRWinners) December 18, 2019
AC joint for #DakPrescott would be good news. I fear rotator cuff contusion due to the elbow hitting ground first, not shoulder. More details at https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG pic.twitter.com/f7771v6FTs
— David J. Chao (@ProFootballDoc) December 18, 2019
Not saying Dak won't play, He is as tough as they come but to me this is significant and could affect him vs @Eagles. Rotator cuff is vital to a thrower.
— David J. Chao (@ProFootballDoc) December 18, 2019
If truly just AC joint, then I would have no worries with an injection.
On the point about swelling in Prescott’s shoulder, it seems worth noting that Prescott only attempted short passes (just eight throws in total) in the second half of the Los Angeles Rams game. His injury clearly limited him:
Amari Cooper to me said he figured something was wrong with Dak Prescott during the Rams game because he told Michael Gallup that he wasn't going to throw the RPO no matter what the read was. Cooper: "That is not like Dak, so I knew something was up."
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 18, 2019
Prescott was officially listed as a limited participant during Wednesday’s practice. His injury prevented him from throwing the ball.
Perhaps Prescott’s swelling will go down by Sunday and he’ll be just fine enough to torch Philadelphia’s secondary. But maybe the Eagles will catch a break and face a version of Prescott who’s playing at significantly less than 100%. It’d be a big deal if the Eagles didn’t have to worry about getting beat by deep shots down the field to the likes of Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
I suppose we won’t know Prescott’s true limitations until Sunday afternoon rolls around.