The Cowboys have been very impressed with the play of rookie Dak Prescott but continue to plan to go with Tony Romo as their starting quarterback when he returns from a back injury, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
One source asserted that there is "zero chance" that Romo does not start when cleared, pointing to the commitment owner Jerry Jones has made to the veteran quarterback and the bond between the two. The Cowboys' brass believes it will have a more robust, well-rounded offense with Romo back under center, and that he is best positioned to cull the maximum production out of their array of weapons in the passing game.
Prescott has done an excellent job of managing the game and avoiding mistakes -- he has yet to throw an interception -- and is viewed as the quarterback of the future. He is poised and confident and has received high accolades within in the organization and outside of it. But the Cowboys are running a constricted version of the offense for him and astutely simplifying some things for him, and its scope should expand significantly with Romo back.
Prescott has attempted just seven passes that have traveled 20 yards or more in the air -- last in the NFL for any regular starter to play all four games -- and completed just one. He has just three passing touchdowns and a TD percentage of 2.3 (30th in the NFL). None of the Cowboys' outside receivers has more than 11 catches or even 170 yards on the season. The Cowboys staff believes the downfield element and multiplicity of their offense could increase significantly under Romo.
Romo is throwing regularly now with considerably more zip on his ball, coming back from his preseason back injury, and remains on track to play Week 8 after their bye. Top receiver Dez Bryant is most likely to return by then as well, sources said.