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Cowboys Receive Concerning Quarterback Update Before Panthers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 3:40 PM ET

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys secured their most impressive win of the 2025 NFL season in Week 5, taking down Justin Fields and the New York Jets 37-22. Prescott had his best game of the year, completing 18-of-29 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns, all without All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is still recovering from an ankle sprain.

Prescott has led Dallas to the NFL’s top-ranked offense, averaging 406.6 yards per game. However, the defense has struggled, allowing a league-worst 412.0 yards per game. The former Mississippi State quarterback has accomplished this after missing most of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury. Cooper Rush filled in as the starter during Prescott’s absence, but after seven seasons in Dallas, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason.

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With Rush gone, the Cowboys needed a new backup for Prescott in 2025. Enter second-year quarterback Joe Milton III, acquired from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Milton showed promise as a rookie in New England, throwing for 241 yards and a touchdown in one game, a win against the Buffalo Bills. However, in his lone appearance with the Cowboys this year, he struggled, tossing an interception on five passing attempts against the Bears.

Milton has not made an appearance on the Cowboys' injury report through five games this season. But, despite being a full participant in Wednesday's practice session, Milton was absent on Thursday due to personal reasons, putting his status for Week 6's game against the Carolina Panthers up in the air.

"Donovan Wilson was back to practice Thursday. Backup QB Joe Milton III was missing for personal reasons," wrote ESPN's Todd Archer. "Pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. was not present at portion of session open to the media."

Donovan Wilson was back to practice Thursday. Backup QB Joe Milton III was missing for personal reasons. Pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. was not present at portion of session open to the media.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 9, 2025