Watch Now:

Dak Prescott will be the Week 1 starter, as the Dallas Cowboys are merely searching for a veteran backup in Tony Romo's absence, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports.

While initially hesitant to rule Romo (back) out for Week 1, the Cowboys now seem to be on board with the 6-to-10 week timeline that accompanies a compression fracture of the L1 vertebrae. Kellen Moore (broken ankle) is expected to be out for even longer than Romo, leaving Prescott and 2015 undrafted free agent Jameill Showers as the only healthy quarterbacks on the roster.

The Cowboys will sign a veteran to replace Showers as the No. 2 quarterback, but it will be Prescott's show to run Week 1 against the New York Giants.

Prescott, a fourth-round draft pick this spring, has exceeded the most optimistic of expectations in preseason, completing 39 of 50 passes for 454 yards and five touchdowns. He has also run for two touchdowns and has no fumbles or interceptions.

Though he won't be able to match Romo's accuracy as a passer, Prescott does have the benefit of playing with Dez Bryant, Ezekiel Elliott and a tremendous offensive line.

More News