Jerry Jones: Dak Prescott Can't Grip Ball 'Well Enough to Play'

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott can't grip a football "well enough to play" yet, owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, making Prescott's availability against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday very much up in the air.

"Well, I know that [his hand] is better, and I know that and I know that he's going to go out there every day and make progress toward being able to grip the ball," Jones said. "He'll have a big week, and he'll be hard on himself getting it ready to go."

Cooper Rush, who has won three straight games since taking over for Prescott and is 4-0 as a starter in his career, will start again this week for Dallas. With the way Rush has filled in for Prescott since the Week 1 injury took place, the Cowboys can take their time and bring Prescott back slowly.

"They have the luxury of making that decision, not forcing him back on the field too early," said analyst Matt Cassel of The 33rd Team. "I've had that hand injury, I've had the thumb injury. It's the most important part of the hand that controls the ball and everything that you do, and if you rush back from that injury, it's just not smart.

"Cooper Rush, the way that he's been playing, the 3-0 start that he's had this season, he's really done a remarkable job. He's thrown no interceptions, he's taking care of the football, he's got a cool-calm presence about himself ... He's been outstanding."

The Cowboys have yet to release any official statements on Prescott's availability.

There was some initial optimism last week that Prescott would return for this week's game after the team decided not to place him on injured reserve following his surgery. Prescott suffered a broken bone in his hand during the Cowboys' Week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.