Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was noticeably absent from the team’s training camp practice on August 9, 2024, raising a few eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Prescott is reportedly dealing with ankle soreness, but both the team and Prescott himself have labeled the absence as precautionary.
Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com was quick to update fans via X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Dak Prescott is not at Cowboys practice today as it gets started. Update: Ankle soreness (rest day as a precaution) for Dak Prescott.” This follows an offseason where Prescott was spotted in a walking boot during a vacation, sparking concern among the Cowboys faithful. However, Prescott had downplayed the severity of the boot, describing it as merely precautionary.
Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram echoed this sentiment, noting, “Dak Prescott confirmed to me it was precautionary. He is not wearing a boot.” This reassurance from Prescott and Hill was crucial in calming any growing anxiety over the quarterback’s health.
Despite these assurances, rumors swirled about Prescott’s condition. Dov Kleiman tweeted, “BREAKING: #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was seen walking in a boot. There were rumors over the last couple of days that he is not 100% and had to get an MRI.”
https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1808929605505495450
However, Todd Archer from ESPN clarified that Prescott’s absence was due to a precautionary measure following a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on August 8. “According to the team, Dak Prescott is being held out of practice Friday for precautionary reasons because of ankle soreness following the joint practice with the Rams on Thursday. Cowboys have a light workout today and he is likely to not play Sunday’s preseason game vs. Rams,” Archer reported.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater further alleviated concerns by stating, “A source tells me there is nothing to Dak Prescott’s absence at practice. It’s not related to a contract or any type of holdout. Why? Still unclear but also told it’s not injury related and ‘nothing serious at all.’”
https://twitter.com/toddarcher/status/1821980554583314472
Prescott’s minor injury history has added a layer of complexity to the situation. Back in July, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport described Prescott’s offseason foot issue as a “very minor foot sprain,” noting that it was not expected to impact his preparation for the 2024 season. “Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, spotted here in a protective walking boot, is dealing with a very minor foot sprain and has been for a few days. It’s not considered to be anything that should affect his preparation for 2024,” Rapoport had reported.
https://twitter.com/clarencehilljr/status/1821665185800843742
While Prescott’s current ankle soreness does not appear to be a significant setback, there is understandable caution given past experiences. In 2022, Prescott missed five games due to an injury, although he managed to play through all 17 games last season. As the team navigates this minor issue, attention also turns to the status of Prescott’s contract negotiations. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on August 9 that the Cowboys are closer to finalizing a new deal with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb than with Prescott. “Dallas considers itself further along on a new deal with Lamb than it is with Prescott,” Fowler stated.
As the Cowboys continue their training camp and preseason preparations, Prescott’s ankle will remain a focal point. For now, both the team and the quarterback are emphasizing the precautionary nature of his absence, aiming to ensure that Prescott is ready for the start of the regular season.
