FRISCO -- There's a good chance of rain Sunday in Charlotte when the Cowboys open the season against the Carolina Panthers.

Dak Prescott didn't seem too concerned when asked about it Thursday. The Cowboys quarterback said he played almost an entire season in high school in the rain.

"I played a bunch of rainy games in college," Prescott said. "It's something I'm familiar with. I'm familiar with the wet ball. We actually sprayed some water on a ball this week. Just preparing for everything."

While discussing the chances of playing in the rain, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones pointed directly to the importance of Ezekiel Elliott and the running game, which is already considered the team's strength.

"Get ready Zeke," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan's G-Bag Nation show [KRLD-FM]. "We need the running game, big boy."

Here are a few other highlights from Jones' Friday morning interview.

-- Jones said Elliott approaches training camp the same way Emmitt Smith did: "All business." When asked if Elliott's capable of putting up the stats he did during his rookie year, Jones responded that Elliott is a better player than when he walked in as a rookie.

-- Jones when talking about the immediate impact he's expecting from Tavon Austin: "He'll literally hit the ground running. And that's big. We trust the things we got him doing. He's had an outstanding camp."

-- When discussing the team's downfield passing game, Jones specifically mentioned what Rico Gathers can bring to the offense. The former Baylor basketball star is currently listed as the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart. Jones made it sound like he expected Gathers to contribute early this season.

"Rico is capable of making a big play," Jones said, "so I think you'll see us using him."