Dak Prescott Plans Conversation With Jaishawn Barham After Viral Sideline Moment

FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott had not seen the viral video of Jaishawn Barham in tears on the sideline when a reporter described it to him Thursday. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback said he now plans to talk with the rookie linebacker about it.

The clip spread across social media Wednesday. It shows Barham, crying and frustrated, as Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker tries to calm him during the 28-20 season-opening loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13. Barham walks away from Parker and is later joined by linebacker DeMarvion Overshown.

Prescott had not watched any of it before Thursday’s availability.

“That guy cares,” Prescott said. “I’ve known that from the moment he stepped in this building. I’ve had a conversation with him. You can see it by the way that he approaches each and every day. Thank you for telling me that.”

“Yeah, I mean, I look forward to now just having a conversation with him and just getting his point of view of it,” Prescott continued, “and guide him and lead him from there any way that I can, depending on what he says and his perspective of it. But, yeah, I know he loves the game, and I know CP has just as much passion and pride in his unit in this game as anybody.”

“And so I’m sure he was doing as any great coach would, like he is, and trying to get his player right and trying to make sure he understands, good or bad, there’s more ahead,” Prescott added. “And we’ve got to focus on that. So yeah, I’m actually interested now to go check it out.”

Parker met with reporters Thursday as well. He said Barham was frustrated with himself and with how the defense played in his first NFL game.

“Things aren’t going to be perfect,” Parker said. “This isn’t a fairytale at all.”

Nobody in the building doubts what Barham can do, according to Parker. “We don’t have any reservations about his mentality,” Parker added. “We welcome that passion.”

New York ran for 165 yards in the opener. Sunday was also the first regular-season game for Parker as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.

Overshown strained his hamstring in the second half against the Giants, and Barham replaced him. With Overshown sidelined, Barham is in line to start at middle linebacker against Washington and wear the green dot on defense.

Starting safety Malik Hooker is also out after surgery to repair a broken arm.

Dallas drafted Barham in the third round in April. He played at Maryland and Michigan. He grew up in District Heights, Md.

The Washington Commanders lost 24-22 at Philadelphia in Week 1. Dallas hosts Washington in its home opener Sunday at AT&T Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.