INGLEWOOD, Calif. — With the Cowboys opening the preseason at SoFi Stadium against the Rams on Saturday, it brought back memories for quarterback Dak Prescott.
It was 10 years ago that Prescott earned his first NFL start, in the preseason, in a 28-24 loss to the Rams.
Prescott started that game with close friend, guard La’el Collins, along with Dez Bryant, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. Only Prescott and Collins are still in the NFL from the 11 players who started that game on Aug. 13, 2016.
Prescott earned the start because backup Kellen Moore suffered a leg injury in training camp, so Prescott moved up the depth chart.
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Tony Romo was the starter at the time but wasn’t scheduled to play until later in the 2016 preseason.
“For me it was just a moment of hard work, preparation and a lot of things paying off and it was me just taking advantage of my opportunity,” Prescott said. “Right there at that point, Kellen had already been hurt, so I know how important it was for me to go out there and show that, one I can be the backup if they need me to be. But I can play and I can play in this offense and I can execute down the field. So it was great to even start in that game as the No. 2 quarterback but play with the ones and having a few possessions there.”
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In the victory, Prescott completed 10 of 12 passes for 139 yards with two touchdown passes. He led six first-half drives before giving way to Jameill Showers.
Later in the preseason, Romo suffered a back injury that knocked him out for the majority of the regular season. Prescott took over for Romo and never gave up the gig.
Prescott credits the preseason opener as giving him confidence and showing the franchise it didn’t need to sign a veteran backup to Romo.
“Yeah, I remember it like yesterday,” Prescott said. “It was vital and obviously it was a big part of them not moving forward and them not getting a veteran backup that allowed me to continue throughout the preseason showing them what I could do until, unfortunately, Tony got hurt. And I think without that first game you’re not even thinking twice when Tony gets hurt to bring a veteran in. But I guess I showed in games 1 and 2 and to continue in 3, they’re all important.”
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