Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott thanks supporters, vows to be back ‘stronger and better’
Quarterback Dak Prescott has a message for his Dallas Cowboys teammates: he will be back better than ever.
Prescott sent his first public message since sustaining a compound fracture of his ankle in last Sunday’s game via his Instagram story on Wednesday morning.
The message was in response to a get well video published on social media by his teammates on Tuesday in hopes of cheering him up and keeping him in the loop after the fifth-year quarterback’s season was ended when he sustained a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle after being tackled during Sunday’s 37-34 victory over the New York Giants.
Prescott had surgery on Sunday night to repair the injury. He was released from the hospital on Monday.
He took to Instagram to express his gratitude for the good wishes and added a promise.
“Forever thankful for the love and support I’ve received. I’ll be back stronger and better. Thank you all,” Prescott said on his Instagram story.
Prescott then followed with his own video to fans as he was driving to the doctor for the first time to get his ankle checked out post surgery.
“I want everyone to know I am doing well,” a smiling Prescott said. “I can’t thank you enough for your love, your support, your prayers over the last few days. I just want to say thank you. Just knowing I have that much love and support makes a huge difference. Just ready to start this road to come back. This adversity is just going to be another chapter in the book. I am ready to move forward and write it.”
The rehab and recovery is expected to take four to six months.
Team owner Jerry Jones said he expects Prescott to be ready to back on the field with his teammates by some point in April or early May.
And he expects him to be back with the Cowboys next year, however, Prescott was only playing on a one-year deal in 2020.
Prescott is a free agent in 2021. The Cowboys will need to place the franchise tag on him again or sign him to a long-term deal to retain his services.
But that’s for then.
On Thursday, it was all smiles and laughter as Prescott’s journey took to him to the Cowboys facility where he surprised his excited teammates and coaches.
“You just see the reaction everybody has that he’s here,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “We clearly understand what Dak means to our football ball team. Just the fact that he’s in the building, just the buzz that you feel, just from that. I just think that speaks volumes about him as a man and just the electricity that he brings to our football team.”
Running back Ezekiel Elliott said it was weird to practice without Prescott for the first time in his career. But unlike the rest of his teammates, Wednesday wasn’t the first time he’s seen him.
Elliott has been going by Prescott’s house every day.
“It seems like he’s in very good spirits,” Elliott said. “A little bit of pain, a little bit loopy, but he’s definitely in good spirits.”
Elliott said it’s important for him to see Prescott and stay in touch with him because everything he is dealing with, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re dealing with COVID and we’re already isolated as it is,” Elliott said. “Just for him to have that with the injury, to be out of his normal routine, to be able to leave the house and come see us, and now he can’t even really move around with the ankle. I just think it’s important that we all surround him and show him plenty of love. I think it’s important that we continue to involve him.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2020 at 10:01 AM.
