Are Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott playing today in Rams vs Cowboys preseason game?

The NFL preseason is officially underway, and tonight, fans are in for a treat at SoFi Stadium. The Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys are set to face off in Inglewood in what promises to be an exciting preview of what’s to come this season. Both Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott are looking to set the tone early as they aim to lead their teams deep into the season starting Week 1.

On one side, Sean McVay and his squad will look to build on last season’s performance, where their Super Bowl hopes came to an end in the playoffs. On the other, America’s Team begins a new era under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, with high expectations and plenty of belief that this could be the year they make a serious run.

With two tough schedules ahead, both teams will be looking for ways to establish themselves as legitimate contenders within their respective divisions—and perhaps, make a run all the way to San Francisco for a shot at hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the season’s final game.

Will Stafford and Prescott see action tonight?

Both Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford rank among the most experienced and talented quarterbacks currently playing in the league. Now entering a phase in their careers where physical durability is key to sustaining high-level performance, preseason games often serve as an opportunity for their teammates to step up and showcase their abilities, while the veteran QBs take limited snaps—or none at all—as a precaution.

Quarterbacks Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talk on the field following a joint practice at Cowboys training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California.

While there’s still no official confirmation, expectations are that neither Stafford nor Prescott will take the field in this preseason opener. As is often the case with veteran starters, teams tend to take a cautious approach in early preseason action to avoid unnecessary risks.

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In Stafford’s case, recent back soreness has led head coach Sean McVay to hold out his star quarterback as a precaution. On the other side, Prescott’s injury history—including several significant setbacks—has prompted the Cowboys to prioritize his long-term health, opting to keep him reportedly sidelined tonight in hopes of having him at full strength for Week 1.

The rest of the preseason

After kicking off their preseason tonight at SoFi Stadium, both franchises will have two more preparation games ahead of the upcoming NFL season.

The Cowboys will face off against the Baltimore Ravens on August 16 at AT&T Stadium, and then, on August 22, they will host the Atlanta Falcons, also at home.

The Rams, on the other hand, will face the Chargers in Los Angeles next Saturday, and will wrap up their preseason preparation against the Browns at Huntington Bank Stadium on August 23.