Dallas Cowboys fans rejoice.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is reportedly back and ready to go Week 1.
“Oh, I’m back.” – @dak #HardKnocks #Cowboys
[ 🎥: @NFLFilms] pic.twitter.com/HNAkJhwks4
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 31, 2021
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott casually tossing passes of 40-plus air yards in warmups before showing good velocity in 7-on-7. He’s overcome an ankle fracture, latissimus strain and, worst of all, that second MRI to be ready for start of season. pic.twitter.com/eYxBfDa62x
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 28, 2021
But there are plenty of lingering questions.
Injuries
The fact that there is more than the ankle injury that curtailed Prescott’s 2020 season is a concern.
It felt as though he appeared at training camp for about five minutes before he had a shoulder issue.
What was that issue, you ask?
No one ever provided a straight answer on it.
First, we heard that he needed to rest it but would play in the preseason.
Then, there was an MRI or two followed by the announcement that he was out for the preseason games.
The only thing Mike McCarthy really said was that the two injuries are not related meaning his throwing motion is not affected by his foot injury.
No Contact
Today, Cowboys' Dak Prescott took part in team drills for the first time since July 27. According to @jonmachota, he completed 11 passes in 18 plays.
Promising news for the six-year vet dealing with a shoulder injury & coming off ankle surgery.
📚: https://t.co/SPdUpEcuUD pic.twitter.com/3i3ii1ahnB
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 25, 2021
The light throwing we have seen certainly did not come with contact.
Neither his foot nor his shoulder has been tested in a game situation with many reps and contact from defenders.
Still feeling good about him being back and ready for Week 1?
Consider that the Week 1 opponent is none other than the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That means there is no working through issues or time to wrestle with rustiness, Dak has to be ready to go when that game is scheduled to kick off.
Dak Prescott having no preseason snaps, returning from the ankle injury, recovering from the shoulder injury, to play his first game against the Buccaneers for the season opener is going to be like watching people climb on milk crates.
— Sarina (@sarina) August 25, 2021
He also has a longer regular season to contend with.
The 2021 season is 17 games long for the first time ever.
This means the duration of the season is 18 weeks with a bye week built in for each team.
Backup Situation
My takeaway from 4 #Cowboys preseason games: Dak Prescott better be healthy, and he better stay that way.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 29, 2021
Let’s hope he really is ready to go because the backup quarterback situation in Dallas is not great.
Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci were cut which left Cooper Rush, the perennial practice squad quarterback who has no significant NFL experience, as the backup.
Cooper Rush has never started an NFL game. He has thrown three passes in four years.
What sort of high bar is there? https://t.co/A6Mjvzpo0G
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) August 31, 2021
The Cowboys must have faith in Prescott’s health; otherwise, they would be on the phone with Cam Newton‘s agent or the Chicago Bears to attempt a trade for Nick Foles.
Report: Cowboys will do their "due diligence" on Cam Newton
"I'm ready to buy the car. I love this idea." — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/FroLlNhAC3
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) August 31, 2021
Live And Die With Dak
The Cowboys offense is built around Prescott.
The team will soar or fall to the levels he takes them.
Cowboys fans have to hope he really is ready because it could be an extremely long season if he ends up aggravating an injury or getting re-injured.
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