Cowboys 'optimistic' Dak Prescott will play Week 8 vs. Vikings despite calf strain

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones admitted earlier on Monday there was some "nervousness" about the strained right calf that quarterback Dak Prescott suffered on his game-winning 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in overtime of Sunday's 35-29 victory over the New England Patriots. 

It appears Prescott and the Cowboys avoided a costly setback. 

According to Kevin Patra of the NFL's website, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Prescott will rest and rehabilitate the injury during the current bye week and ahead of the upcoming game at the Minnesota Vikings on Halloween night. 

"There is a variance in timelines but we're optimistic for Minnesota," McCarthy explained. 

Prescott has guided the Cowboys to five straight wins and a 5-1 record, and he began the day fifth in the NFL with 1,813 passing yards and tied for third with 16 touchdown throws. However, there was concern the 28-year-old could miss time when he was spotted wearing a walking boot after Sunday's result, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport explained some may have been reading too much into that development: