Cowboys announce Dak Prescott playing or sitting decision for Week 18

Mike Moraitis

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Cowboys announce Dak Prescott playing or sitting decision for Week 18 image

The Dallas Cowboys have nothing but draft position to play for in Week 18, which has led many to wonder if the team might rest its starters.

The Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention a few weeks back and enter Week 18 sitting in the No. 14 spot in the 2026 NFL draft order with their own pick. Depending on the results of Week 18, Dallas can move up or down from that spot.

When asked about the status of quarterback Dak Prescott for Week 18, owner Jerry Jones made it clear that the Cowboys signal-caller will start.

However, he also hinted that Prescott might not play the entire game.

"We're gonna start Dak," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "How we use Dak, let's make that part of the game plan that we won't talk about."

Prescott has said on multiple occasions that he wants to play in Week 18 and has even said he would push back against sitting out.

"For sure, no question," Prescott said. "I love this game, I love any opportunity that I get to play it. That being said, if I get to go out there, I'm going to give it my best, prepare the same way, I'm going to be the same player that you guys know."

"I'll have some fight back," Prescott added. "Again it depends on how it comes – what's the purpose, what's the reason? Obviously I understand being approached about it… the conversations we've already had about it are for me to play."

Prescott noted that finishing 8-8-1 is important to him.

"With the season being where it is, trying to make sure we finish 8-8-1, that's important, that's important to me, a lot of pride in that," he said. "I want to go out there and I want to win most importantly. Me starting I feel like gives us the best chance obviously. I want to play."

The Cowboys will close out their season against the New York Giants, who are jockeying for the No. 1 overall pick.

New York needs a loss and a Las Vegas Raiders win to move up from No. 2 to No. 1. Prescott not playing a full game in the finale would obviously hurt the Giants' chances of losing, so how the Cowboys handle their quarterback could greatly impact Big Blue.

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Editorial Team