The 2024 season was supposed to be different for Dak Prescott. Coming off his best year as a pro, where he finished runner-up for NFL MVP, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback had every reason to believe this would be his championship moment. Instead, a devastating hamstring injury cut his season short, leaving both him and America’s Team wondering what might have been. Now, with training camp just weeks away, Prescott is ready to prove that the setback was just a setup for his comeback.
How Healthy Is Dak Prescott Heading Into Cowboys Training Camp?
The Cowboys were already struggling when Prescott suffered his season-ending hamstring injury in 2024. With the team sitting at 3-6 and playoff hopes fading, both the quarterback and organization made the difficult decision to shut him down for surgery in November.
As Dallas prepares to start training camp later this month, Prescott delivered the news Cowboys fans have been waiting to hear. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the quarterback provided a confident update on his recovery status.
“I’ll be a full go for camp,” Prescott said. “I’m healthy, yeah. I think soon here, I’ll probably get an official sign-off from (my doctor). But yeah, I’m healthy.”
The injury that sidelined Prescott was no minor setback. The official diagnosis was a partial hamstring avulsion, a serious condition where the tendon partially tears away from the bone. This type of injury typically requires surgical repair and an extended rehabilitation period.
What Does Prescott’s Injury History Mean for His Recovery?
Unfortunately for Prescott, dealing with significant injuries has become a familiar challenge throughout his career. The quarterback has faced multiple setbacks that have tested both his physical resilience and mental toughness.
His most devastating injury came in 2020, when he suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his ankle. That injury was particularly heartbreaking because Prescott was putting up MVP-caliber numbers through five starts before going down. Two years later, he missed five games after fracturing his thumb.
However, Prescott’s experience with the recovery process has given him a unique perspective on overcoming adversity. Rather than viewing injuries as career-threatening obstacles, he’s learned to embrace the rehabilitation journey.
“It’s just the work that I’ve put into it, unfortunately I’ve been through this process of recovering from injuries before that I embrace it,” Prescott told the Cowboys’ team website in April. “I know that a better version of me is on the other side, so that’s just the way that I’ve approached this whole offseason and this whole rehab process.”
The quarterback’s confidence in his recovery has been building steadily since the spring. Back in April, Prescott was already expressing optimism about his progress and readiness to return to action.
“If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that,” he said at the time. “It’s about moving forward healthy to make sure I can play 17 times, 20 games, whatever we get to when the time’s right.”
Following Prescott’s injury in 2024, head coach Mike McCarthy turned to veteran backup Cooper Rush to lead the team. Rush stepped in and went 4-4 as a starter, throwing for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Cowboys also gave former No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick Trey Lance a chance to start in their Week 18 home loss against the Washington Commanders.
Both backup quarterbacks have since moved on to new opportunities. Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason to serve as Lamar Jackson’s backup, while Lance joined the Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback room.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been busy upgrading their offensive weapons for Prescott’s return. The team’s biggest acquisition this offseason is arguably former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens, who will team up with CeeDee Lamb to give Prescott a dynamic receiving duo.
