Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (calf) won't know if he's facing Vikings until Saturday?

The Dallas Cowboys are understandably being cautious with starting quarterback Dak Prescott after he strained his right calf in the Oct. 17 win over the New England Patriots before the team's bye. 

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Wednesday Prescott must cross an unspecified "threshold" to be cleared to play in Sunday's prime-time matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Prescott was unable to say for sure Thursday if he'll take the field Halloween night. 

Prescott said he would "no question" clear himself to be in the lineup if this was a playoff game but added he won't know his status for the Minnesota contest until Saturday. It's believed backup and unproven commodity Cooper Rush would be Dallas' QB1 if Prescott doesn't play.

"It’s not fully my decision because there is a bigger picture," Prescott explained. "It’s more than just one game." 

McCarthy said Wednesday the Cowboys don't want this issue to become "a week-to-week situation," and Prescott suggested Thursday he is willing to take steps to ensure the setback doesn't "linger past this week." 

The Cowboys are entering the final weekend of October holding a three-and-a-half game lead in the NFC East standings, and Prescott was a spectator throughout much of the summer as he recovered from the compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle that prematurely ended his 2020 season and also because of the shoulder strain he first suffered in July. 

In short, one couldn't blame McCarthy for sitting Prescott until November.