David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (calf) not yet cleared to face Vikings?

While speaking with local radio station 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed optimism that quarterback Dak Prescott will start for this Sunday's game at the Minnesota Vikings after Prescott strained his right calf back on Oct. 17 and ahead of Dallas' bye. 

Dallas coach Mike McCarthy offered zero guarantees on Wednesday. 

"He's going to practice and he's going to go through the individual part of it and he's in the game plans. He's preparing to play," McCarthy said of Prescott, per Todd Archer of ESPN. "He's got to cross the threshold to make sure he's full-go." 

McCarthy offered no specifics about that threshold but added associate athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation Britt Brown will advise Prescott and the Cowboys about the quarterback's status for Halloween night. 

Backup Cooper Rush is the next man up on the depth chart if Prescott can't play or if McCarthy elects to rest his QB1 because, in the coach's words, he doesn't want this setback to become "a week-to-week situation" with the Cowboys holding a three-and-a-half game lead in the NFC East standings over the division's other three clubs. 

Meanwhile, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb remarked he's "90% sure" he'll be catching passes from Prescott on Sunday night. Despite that, fantasy football players may want to wait an extra day or two before locking Prescott into their lineups. 

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