Cowboys taking 'a step back' with Prescott's shoulder injury rehab

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday his team is being cautious by taking "a step back" with quarterback Dak Prescott's shoulder strain rehab, according to Jori Epstein of USA Today.

"We want to make sure this doesn't turn into something bigger," said McCarthy, who added Prescott will be on a pitch count once he resumes throwing.

Prescott exited the first padded practice of training camp last week with soreness in his throwing arm and was considered day-to-day. McCarthy said soon after the injury that the signal-caller would skip throwing activities for only "two, three days."

The two-time Pro Bowler appeared in just five games last season before a compound ankle fracture and dislocation sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He's expected to be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming campaign.

The 28-year-old, who set career highs with 4,900 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019, became football's second-highest-paid quarterback this offseason after signing a four-year extension worth $160 million.

As expected, Prescott won't be on the field when the Cowboys line up to open the preseason Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McCarthy also said Tuesday he's hopeful Prescott will play in the preseason, with the third exhibition game on Aug. 21 being a realistic possibility, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.