While Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recently expressed confidence about his recovery from a hamstring injury, he may not be a full participant when practices begin. Jon Machota of The Athletic says the Cowboys plan to be cautious with the quarterback’s recovery during OTAs and minicamp.
[RELATED: Dak Prescott Close To Full Health]
Prescott claimed last month that he was already healthy enough to play in a game, and this followed earlier reports that the quarterback would likely be ready to go for May practices. The veteran underwent surgery for a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon in November, so the expedited timeline wasn’t completely unfounded.
Entering the first year of a four-year, $240MM extension signed last September, Prescott and the Cowboys are naturally being cautious with his return to the field. In addition to protecting the asset, there are some other positives to limiting the player’s practice reps.
As Machota notes, there should be more opportunities for Joe Milton to get acclimated with his new team during those early practices. The 2024 sixth-round pick was traded from the Patriots to the Cowboys last month, and after mostly serving as a third-string QB as a rookie, Milton will now enter his sophomore season as Prescott’s primary backup.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Jerry Jones recently told reporters that Trevon Diggs could open the season on the physically unable to perform list (per ESPN’s Todd Archer). After missing most of the 2023 season with a torn ACL, his comeback campaign in 2024 ended early thanks to an injury in the same knee. Sam Williams is also recovering from a torn ACL suffered last summer, but Jones said the defensive end is basically fully recovered.
The Cowboys OL is under going a transition from the old guard so as much as Jerry would like to be cautious with Prescott, I think Dak and the new offensive line need to develop good cohesion. The level of Dak’s participation won’t be affecting the Cowboys net worth of $10B in any event and that is Jerry’s prime concern.
That’s a great point. Dallas needs to be cautious with their investment, but that kind also would do well to get into a groove with their QB as soon as it is reasonable. People like to crap on Dak, but he has shown the ability to be a top end quarterback (his 2023 far outshined Jackson’s MVP statistics as a passer, just for consideration). Prescott isn’t getting any younger, but that line is going to have to protect him-and Dallas’ huge investment-going forward. Prescott should, and probably will, get some time to get into a groove together.
Prescott will find a way to get injured regardless of how cautious the Cowboys attempt to be with him.