Will Dak Prescott play in Week 18? Cowboys QB makes stance clear

The Dallas Cowboys managed to handle their business on Christmas Day, beating the Washington Commanders 30-23 at Northwest Stadium.

With fans making their feelings clear about having starters play in meaningless games, attention now turns to Week 18 and the New York Giants.

There will no doubt be some players who sit out, as the potential for injury is too great and could ruin the 2026 season as well.

One player who many wanted to sit out the second half of the Commanders game is Dak Prescott.

He didn't. But next week is a real possibility.

But how would he feel if Dallas asked him to sit out despite being healthy?

“I'll have some fight back," Prescott said. "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 or for me to play with the season being where it is, trying to make sure we finish at what, eight, eight and one, that's important. That's important to me, a lot of pride in that.

"I want to go out there, and I want to win, most importantly. Me starting I feel like gives us the best chance. Want to play."

More: What Cowboys' Week 17 win means for Dallas' own 2026 first-round draft pick

Why Prescott has to sit out Week 18

We know how easily injuries can happen, and we only have to look back a few weeks to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons.

If a substantial injury were to happen in Week 18 to one of Dallas' star players, then that could put a portion of the 2026 season in jeopardy.

The 2025 season has been one from hell, so why potentially put 2026 at risk as well? 

That surely isn't a gamble worth taking, right?

Well, we are about to see over the coming days if Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys think it is.

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