Getty Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott is doing better than anticipated in his recovery from a gruesome right ankle compound fracture and dislocation.
Cowboys VP Stephen Jones revealed Monday that doctors consider the franchise quarterback “ahead of schedule” following season-ending surgery and believe Prescott will return closer to the four-month mark of his six-month rehab timeline.
“This is a four-month injury and so far, if anything, everything we’re getting from (associate athletic trainer Britt Brown) and the doctors is that he’s ahead of schedule. He’s been able to avoid any setbacks and if anything, he’s ahead of schedule, which shouldn’t be a surprise,” Jones told reporters Monday, via ESPN.
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Injured in the team’s win over the Giants, Prescott underwent emergency surgery on Oct. 11 and was discharged from the hospital the next day. One week later, the two-time Pro Bowl passer was deemed infection-free as medical staff reportedly “were closely monitoring the situation to guard against it.”
Jones spouted positivity then, too, vowing Dallas “absolutely not” has given up on Prescott as its long-term signal-caller.
“He’s our future,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan when asked if the injury affected their feelings. “He’s special. If anyone can overcome anything it will be Dak. It’s something our doctors feel like he’ll overcome, and he’ll come back better than ever.”
Unsigned beyond 2020, an impending unrestricted free agent, Prescott is expected to be healthy enough to practice by late April or early May, team owner/general manager Jerry Jones confirmed last month.
“If you look ahead, he should be ready to go for our spring work – the latter part of the spring work. But knowing Dak – and that’s a big part of this thing – knowing Dak and his makeup, he’ll be back out there soon,” Jones said.
That would represent the pessimistic end of the spectrum — a full six months. The latest projection, however, has Prescott ready around February, ahead of the NFL’s legal tampering period that precedes free agency, and well before the Cowboys’ offseason program.
For his part, no matter when, the 27-year-old promised to storm back with a vengeance, “stronger and better” in 2021.
“This little adversity is just gonna be another chapter in the book, and I’m excited to move forward and write it,” Prescott said in an October social media post.
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Cowboys Want Dak, Not Rookie
As of now, 2-7 Dallas is slated to pick third overall in the 2021 NFL draft, prime territory in a top-heavy but insanely talented QB class. From now through next April, the brain trust will be peppered with questions pertaining to the sport’s most sacred position, regardless of their financial outcome with Prescott.
Jones, though, continues to push the narrative that they’ve permanently hitched the Cowboys’ wagon to his star, seemingly ruling out his potential rookie replacement.
“Dak’s our quarterback. We’re so fired up about him and leading us into the future. … We’re fired up about our future with Dak,” Jones said, via 105.3 The Fan.
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Follow Zack Kelberman on Twitter: @KelbermanNFL