Dallas Cowboys make roster moves ahead of Sunday night matchup
The Dallas Cowboys have managed to perservere through adversity all season long, but weekly tweaks to the roster have become commonplace.
On Saturday, Dallas made two moves to the 53-man roster for the Minnesota Vikings primetime matchup on Sunday Night Football.
Rookie cornerback Kelvin Joseph was activated from injured reserve, while defensive tackle Justin Hamilton was elevated from the practice squad.
Dak Prescott injury status remains uknown for Dallas Cowboys
While minor moves are common on a week to week basis in the NFL, the Cowboys have a far more serious question in a key NFC matchup.
They were planning on having an answer on Dak Prescott’s availability on Saturday. That will have to wait another day.
Per ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Cowboys quarterback is now a game-time decision for Sunday’s game at the Minnesota Vikings. If Prescott can not go, backup quarterback Cooper Rush will be called on to start.
Prescott is recovering from a calf injury that he suffered in the Cowboys’ last game. The Cowboys were on bye last week, so Prescott had some additional time to recover. After he pushed himself in practice Thursday, the quarterback was reportedly sore on Friday morning.
On Thursday, Prescott admitted that whether or not he plays for the Cowboys against the Vikings might not only be his decision. If the Dallas Cowboys aren’t willing to risk the long term health of their starting quarterback, who has dealt with multiple injuries over the last two years, they could opt to hold him out for another week.
“Knowing this is a long journey and a long season, I don’t necessarily know if this is fully my decision, but I’m just going to keep controlling the things I can to get better,” Prescott said Thursday via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I’ve gotten better each and every day, and that’s what is most important. I’m just focused on doing that again tomorrow.”
Dak Prescott must “cross the threshold” to start for Cowboys
Earlier in the week, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Prescott needs to cross certain thresholds to be able to play against the Vikings.
“They didn’t tell me which ones I’ve got to pass,” Prescott said. “Obviously I trust myself, trust my body, trust what I’m thinking, but also I trust the coaches and Britt, Jim [Maurer] and the whole training staff. We’ve put a lot into this. I’ve put a lot into my body and taking care of myself.
“But they know. They know how these things work. First time dealing with something like this, obviously on the same leg as my ankle, I want to be smart about it and cautious. But as I’ve said, I’ve gotten better each and every day. I’m doing things today I didn’t do as well the day before. I think that’s huge.”
With or without Prescott, the Cowboys travel to take on the Vikings at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday night.