OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys have decided to be patient with their backup quarterback situation.

For now.

They will give rookie Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers more snaps in practices over the next few days to give them an opportunity to show the Cowboys that they don't need to add a veteran after backup Kellen Moore fractured his right ankle Tuesday and will be out for three to four months.

Prescott and Showers shared the snaps in practice Thursday, with starter Tony Romo taking a rest day along with receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.

Prescott, the fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State, continues to take snaps ahead of Showers. But it was Showers who executed better Thursday.

Showers showed a quicker release and was more accurate. He delivered a perfect pass in 7-on-7 drills, leading tight end Gavin Escobar for a 35-yard touchdown.

"He just beat a guy in man over the top in the safety's face," Showers said. "He's a big guy so I just tried to put it up for him.

"I didn't take too many reps the first couple of days so it was definitely good for me. I felt good. Still a lot of learning to do. I messed up a few protections in the walk-through. And holding the ball too long in the two-minute [team drill] on the first play. Definitely things to improve on."

Prescott struggled in 1-on-1 drills. At least three of his passes were behind receivers, with one intercepted. He was more accurate in team drills - especially when he escaped the pocket - but was slow to release the football at times.

"It had some up and downs," Prescott said. "There was a lot of good but there was a lot of bad."

Prescott said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones delivered some "good news" to him after practice: He has the chance to take advantage of this opportunity.

"That's good," Prescott said. "It gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves, to show we're adjusting to the offense and getting the concepts and that we can play in this league."

For the second consecutive day Cowboys coach Jason Garrett stayed after practice to play catch with Prescott. He said they're competing in an accuracy game.

"Who can hit each other in the face more," Prescott said. "He didn't win. We got to go to the judges' table on that."

Twitter: @DMN_George

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MORE COVERAGE

Dallas Cowboys rookie strong safety Kavon Frazier (35) strips the ball from tight end Geoff Swaim (87) for an interception during afternoon practice at training camp in Oxnard, California, Thursday, August 4, 2016. The ball was thrown by Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News) (Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

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