The Facts: One week after Prescott suffered a calf injury on the final play of a thrilling overtime win against the Patriots, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Cowboys remain optimistic their star quarterback will be ready to make his next start next Sunday night at Minnesota -- though they are proceeding carefully.

Diehards Line:Sources tell Rapoport Prescott is not expected to participate in a light practice Monday when the team returns from its bye. The soonest he would practice is Wednesday, and the team will monitor him closely to make sure he's moving like himself and not putting himself at risk of a relatively minor issue turning into something more. It's the same long-term thinking the Cowboys used back in training camp, when Prescott missed substantial time because of a muscle strain in his throwing shoulder. The plan all along was to ramp him up gradually, and Prescott was ready for the opener. Prescott spent most of the bye week in town and rehabbing at the team's facility. Prescott has mostly worked out in the pool. He's been able to do all of his footwork drills and running while in the pool, rarely on solid ground. That's all to make sure he doesn't aggravate the calf injury.