Dallas Cowboys News: Update On Dak Prescott’s Injury Return, 2021 Outlook

Dak Prescott’s gruesome ankle injury ended the Dallas Cowboys’ chances of contending in the 2020 NFL season, but it’s not expected to have an affect on the 2021 campaign. Seven months after getting hurt, the star quarterback is ready to play meaningful football.

Prescott returned to the field with Dallas this week for the start of OTAs. While the 27-year-old is taking a careful approach, he seems to be fully recovered.

“I wouldn't necessarily say I'm limited,” Prescott told reporters Tuesday. “I think we're just being cautious, and I'm not doing things when there’s a pass rush. As far as saying I can’t do drills or I can’t do something, I'm pretty much full-go.”

Prior to his injury, Prescott might have been on the verge of becoming one of the NFL’s elite passers. He led the league’s top-ranked offense in 2019, throwing for a career-high 4,902 yards and 30 touchdown passes. In five games last season, Prescott was on pace to shatter the all-time passing record while completing a career-best 68% of his attempts.

Now, the Cowboys are ready for Prescott to pick up where he left off.

“The ball is coming out the same as it was before the injury,” Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz said. “From what I can tell, it looks like he picks right back up [where he left off]. The ball falls in my hand the exact same way.”

Prescott was a Pro-Bowl selection in 2016 and 2018. With Drew Brees retiring and Aaron Rodgers potentially leaving the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys’ quarterback is among the top contenders to make this year’s NFC Pro Bowl roster.

Without Prescott for more than two-thirds of the season, Dallas missed the playoffs with a 6-10 record. In a division that didn’t feature a single team with a winning record in 2020, the Cowboys are the clear favorites to finish in first place.

A healthy Prescott is likely to be the most efficient quarterback in the NFC East.