August 4, 2016
Everything changed for the Dallas Cowboys at the position of quarterback on a single play. Kellen Moore was scheduled to become the No. 2 quarterback behind Tony Romo.
That all changed on Tuesday, Aug. 2, when an offensive lineman rolled up Moore, breaking the quarterback’s http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17206014/dallas-cowboys-backup-qb-kellen-moore-breaks-right-leg">fibula or ankle depending on the report. Currently, there is no timetable for Moore’s return, but recovery time after surgery is three to four months.
The injury moved former Mississippi State University quarterback Dak Prescott from the No. 3 to the No.2 quarterback on the depth chart. That means if Romo is injured, Prescott would be the starting quarterback for the Cowboys.
Going into training camp, that wasn’t the plan for Prescott. The rookie fourth-round pick was supposed to sit behind and learn from Romo and Moore. Playing time for Prescott looked like it would come in the preseason, with no chance of seeing the field in the regular season.
Now, Romo is the starter, and Prescott moves up from taking snaps with the third-string offense. Prescott was splitting time with Jameill Showers, who spent last season on the practice squad playing other positions besides quarterback.
Romo, now 36 years old, missed most of last season with a broken collarbone. That left Dallas with Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and Moore playing quarterback, and the Cowboys went 4-12.
The Cowboys have to moved up the timetable on the development of Prescott. Coming from a spread offense at MSU, Prescott has to learn a pro-style offense and learn how to take snaps from under center.
Prescott, who turned 23-years old last Friday, July 29, has embraced the No. 2 role and is ready to step up to the challenge, he told http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2016/08/02/tues-practice-recap-daks-opportunity-zekes-hamstring-more-notes?sf32382045=1">DallasCowboys.com.
“I’ve just got to come in each and every day and get better—that’s all I’m worried about,” he said. “My main focus is just to come in and make sure these guys hold me accountable. I’ll hold them accountable, and I’ll just be my best each and every practice.”
The Cowboys are going to look for an experienced backup quarterback, as well. The early thought was that former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Nick Foles would be the target for Dallas.
Then, http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4752471/cowboys-look-elsewhere-in-backup-qb-pursuit">Foles signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cowboys turned their attention to Cleveland http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17219743/josh-mccown-focused-cleveland-browns-dallas-cowboys-interest">Browns’ quarterback Josh McCown. The Browns have asked for more than Dallas is willing to part with at this point in terms of trade value. Cleveland wants a high draft pick, and the Cowboys don’t want to give up their future for a backup quarterback.
With training camps just opening, Dallas will keep looking for another quarterback and can still wait until the team finds one at a price that it likes. In fact, the Cowboys could wait until rosters are cut down to 53 players before having to make a move if all their quarterbacks stay healthy during the preseason.
The Cowboys had a break Wednesday, Aug. 3, and returned to practice today, Aug. 4, with Romo taking the day off. Prescott took all the snaps with the first team while Romo was not in attendance due to a scheduled off day for veterans.
Dallas opens preseason play against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Prescott will still be taking snaps as the No. 2 quarterback if nothing changes for the Cowboys.
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