How much should you expect Dak Prescott to play in the preseason?

The Dallas Cowboys' first preseason game is days away and Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb still haven't signed new contracts. Luckily for the Cowboys, Prescott has been a full participant in training camp. Unfazed by his uncertain future, Prescott has been virtually flawless in team drills.

It's a testament to Prescott that he has flourished in camp without Lamb. Prescott and Brandin Cooks are on the same page, but more notable is that the Pro Bowl quarterback has had no issue completing passes in tight coverage to Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, Tyron Billy-Johnson and Jalen Cropper.

With Prescott in mid-season form and showcasing chemistry with all of his receivers, it's fair to wonder how much he'll play in preseason.

Cowboys fans shouldn't expect Dak Prescott to play in preseason

Not only is Prescott lighting up training camp, but Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are duking it out for the backup job. Mike McCarthy has stated numerous times this offseason that Lance will get all the preseason reps he can handle.

Lance was listed third on the Cowboys' first unofficial depth chart, so it stands to reason that Rush will start the first preseason game before Lance takes over. Historically speaking, the quarterback that starts a preseason game only sees the field for a couple of drives.

As for Prescott, he hasn't played in a preseason exhibition since way back in 2019. McCarthy took over as head coach in 2020, so Prescott has not played a preseason snap under McCarthy. Cowboys fans should expect that tradition to continue this year.

Prescott is on the record saying that not playing in preseason allows him to focus all of his attention on the regular-season opener. The 31-year-old understands the importance of starting a season strong and his preparation resulted in the Cowboys demolishing the Giants in Week 1 last season.

"Understanding that I wasn't playing in the preseason a week ago allowed me to move forward and watch some of their past games, our history with them (the Giants)," Prescott said last August. "You've gotta prepare. It's game one, you want to start off hot and start off the right way and when you've got the time, you gotta use it."

Prescott even called the offensive plays in last year's exhibition against the Raiders. Some teams like to give their starting QBs one drive to make sure cadence and timing are lined up. However, recent history suggests that Prescott will be on the sidelines for the duration of preseason.

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