Mike McCarthy gives update on Dak Prescott injury

Mike McCarthy offered an update on quarterback Dak Prescott who suffered a calf injury in the Cowboys’ win over the Patriots.

“You know Dak, he’s in there and he’s doing everything he can,” McCarthy said on DFW The Ticket. “We’ll just see how it goes. We’re optimistic for Minnesota.”

Prescott is coming off a performance that saw him win Offensive Player of the Week honors in the NFC. In the Cowboys’ 35-29 overtime win, the Mississippi State product threw for 445 yards and three touchdowns with a completion percentage of 70.6% and a passer rating of 108.7.

Dak Prescott is having an MVP-caliber season, leading a Dallas offense that ranks top five in the NFL and team that looks to be a potential Super Bowl contender through six weeks. On the year, Prescott is second in the NFL in completion percentage (73.1%) and fifth in total passer rating (115.0). He’s thrown for 1,813 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Though he’s dealing with the calf injury, Dallas is on a bye week, which evidently couldn’t come at a better time.

As McCarthy is optimistic Prescott is able to play in Dallas’ primetime Sunday Night Football game on Halloween against Minnesota after the bye week, a Cowboys legend detailed the injury. According to Troy Aikman, the injury is painful — but a week off is just what Dak Prescott needed.

“I tore part of the muscle against Washington, and I could not even have come back in the game and played and didn’t,” Aikman told The Ticket 96.7. “And I think based on what I saw of Dak walking off the field, I don’t think he could have came back and played if it has gone further. But can he play? Yeah. … the timing obviously is good for him. 

“What I found is I played the next week, and I was doubtful as to whether I would be able to do it. But I think the great thing about playing quarterback relative to other positions is unless you just can’t throw the ball, something is wrong with your shoulder or elbow or something to that nature, then you can manage the injuries a little bit better.”

Dak Prescott is reaching out to fans for a cause that’s more important than football. The former Mississippi State star has been sporting to phrase “Ask 4 Help” on his wristband weekly. The wristband and “Ask 4 Help” slogan are helping Prescott raise awareness for those struggling with mental illness.

Prescott launched his “Ask 4 Help” campaign in recognition of suicide prevention month in September and he’s kept it going through Week 6. The campaign includes a line of t-shirts and hoodies with “Ask for Help” and “Faith. Fight. Finish” on them.