FRISCO, Texas — A trying 2024 campaign became that much more so when Dak Prescott went down in early November with what turned out to be a season-ending injury. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback tore his hamstring off of the bone in his attempt to take down the Falcons in Atlanta, and he's been on the mend ever since.
A lot has happened since then, including the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy parting ways and Brian Schottenheimer ushering in his era with an impressive staff surrounding him — he and Prescott looking forward to a revamped offense, and overall team, in Dallas.
But first, Prescott has to return to the field and, speaking from the Children's Cancer Fund event in Dallas in mid-February, he gave his first public update on his status.
"What's it been — 12 weeks or so after surgery now? I'm really looking to amp it up and gather all my confidence," said the All-Pro quarterback. "We'll be fine."
It goes without saying this is good news for all involved.
Prescott, an MVP frontrunner one year ago, co-hosted the charity event alongside co-chair and Cowboys' legend Troy Aikman, standing tall and moving well without any crutches, braces or devices, including when he'd pick up the pace for a brisk power walk back to his vehicle in a hurry to get back to his fiancee and infant daughter.
It's a 180-degree turn from the ominous tone that immediately followed the injury.
"Didn't think much of it, to be honest with you," said Prescott at the time. "And then on the next play — throwing the stop route — pulled something. It was something I'd never felt."
Now preparing to turn up his rehabilitation with the hopes of doing some sort of work when the Cowboys' offseason program gets underway, neither he nor the team will risk rushing the progress; but it's also understood the sooner the better for an offense and an offensive playbook that will undergo a complete rebuild in 2025.
