Dak Prescott: 'We're definitely a contender'

Dallas Cowboys quarterback and MVP candidate Dak Prescott showed some fire about the team’s future in a response to reporters on Thursday. The Cowboys haven’t won the NFC East since 2018 and haven’t been to a Super Bowl since 1995, but Prescott believes this could be the year they get back.

“We’re definitely a contender,” Prescott said. “I think everybody on this team and in this building would be pissed off if anybody thought any differently. I felt that way coming into camp, feel that way after six games, feel that way today.”

The Cowboys have been unstoppable since starting the season with a two-point loss to the reigning Super Bowl champs Tampa Bay.

At 5-1, Dallas leads the NFC East. The Green Bay Packers lead in the NFC North at 7-1 after their Thursday night win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Tampa Bay Bucs are on top in the NFC South at 6-1 and the Cardinals are a win-up on the L.A. Rams in the NFC West.

The Cowboys will try to keep it going in primetime on Sunday versus the 3-3 Minnesota Vikings. The game is another road test before they welcome the Broncos in Week 9.

Dak Prescott still isn’t back to 100% after suffering a calf strain, even after the bye week. Star cornerback Trevon Diggs has also been a limited participant in practice this week.

No. 4 almost back for Dallas

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott provided an update on his calf injury, which he sustained Oct. 17 against the New England Patriots. The star signal caller “pushed it” on Thursday, hoping to gauge the severity.

Prescott is currently questionable for Sunday, needing to “cross the threshold” before playing against the Minnesota Vikings, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. The Athletic’s Jon Machota asked Prescott if he believed the injury would play a factor if the playoffs started Sunday, drawing a definite answer.

 “It would be no question,” said Prescott. “100 percent.”

The Dallas Cowboys have been careful with Dak Prescott’s injuries all season, limiting his training camp work after ankle surgery and holding him out of preseason work with shoulder issues. Their caution can be excused, given the massive extension signed this season.

Despite the injuries, he is having an MVP-caliber season. Prescott leads a top five offense in the NFL, and the team looks like a potential Super Bowl contender. On the year, Prescott is second in the NFL in completion percentage (73.1%) and fifth in total passer rating (115.0). He has thrown for 1,813 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions.

More updates on Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy shared an update on his ailing quarterback, Dak Prescott, on Tuesday ahead of practice. He told reporters that Prescott would work through the individual periods of practice and then receive an eval.

Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that Prescott has “improved every day.” Despite this, backup QB Cooper Rush will still get more reps in the team portion than usual.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.