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How Soon Can Dak Prescott Come Back?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Goss | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 5:57 PM ET

FRISCO — Since Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending hamstring injury, the 2024 campaign has become a lost campaign for the Dallas Cowboys. Prescott and the team were already off to a shaky start, navigating offseason drama, injuries and new tweaks on both sides of the ball.

All that calamity left the team with a 3-6 record once he left the lineup for good. Sure the Cowboys could still play spoiler and perhaps sneak into a more respectable record with a favorable schedule to close the year. But the focus for Dallas has nudged toward next season already in some ways.

Now in terms of the 2025 season, for some that may mean what the Cowboys do with head coach Mike McCarthy or which highly touted prospects make their way to the Star on draft day. Most importantly though, the Cowboys will be focused on getting their franchise centerpiece back on the field and at 100%.

Luckily, it seems Prescott is on the same page and wants to be a part of the team's offseason work once that time comes.

"My plan is to start OTAs and start the offseason no restrictions, full go," Prescott told CBS Sports. "That's part in getting this jump on this surgery that we thought was inevitable anyways.

"At that point, just doing everything I can to be the best quarterback and leader of this team to help this team come in next year with the best outfit that we can."

Despite the Cowboys' struggles when they had him under center, Prescott was still posting respectable passing numbers without many viable pieces around him. If the Cowboys can reload the roster around him, meaning the offensive line, backfield and receiving group, perhaps those numbers will carry more weight and lead to some wins next season.

Dallas made Prescott the highest paid player in NFL history before the start of the season. While the team needs to take the steps to maintain a contender around him, the quarterback needs to also do his part in taking the Cowboys to where they entrusting him to.

That all starts with having him available and right now, there's no need to rush him. But getting back into action for OTA's and offseason programming would be a big step in the Cowboys gearing up to actually go "all in" for the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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