A hamstring injury limited Dak Prescott to eight games in 2024. Dallas’ quarterback managed to take part in spring practices, however, and he has continued to make progress in his recovery. 
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Prescott said (via ESPN’s Todd Archer) he is now fully healthy. A final checkup with team doctors is scheduled between now and the start of training camp. Provided that goes as planned, the three-time Pro Bowler will be a full participant in padded practices.
During OTAs, the Cowboys understandably took a cautious approach with Prescott. He managed to participate in all drills then and in last month’s minicamp as well, though. As a result, this latest update comes as little surprise. Of course, it is nonetheless significant for Dallas to have a healthy Prescott well in advance of Week 1.
Set to carry a league-leading cap charge of over $50MM in 2025, expectations will be high once again for the 31-year-old this campaign. Prescott has four years remaining on the record-breaking extension he inked just before the start of last season, and his performance will be key in determining the Cowboys’ success. Dallas went 7-10 in 2024, a year marred by injuries to Prescott and other core players. A new coaching staff will look to return to the team to the success found during much of the Mike McCarthy era which preceded it.
Of course, a strong regular season will be largely ignored if the Cowboys once again fail to make a deep playoff run. Prescott and Co. have not advanced past the divisional round dating back to well before his arrival in 2016, but he will again have the opportunity to end the team’s drought in that regard this year. Dallas lost Cooper Rush and Trey Lance in free agency but traded for Joe Milton as a new backup. The 2024 Patriots draftee will see second-string reps during camp.
As a result of Prescott’s missed time in 2024, ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes the Cowboys were able to recoup roughly $6.4MM of his signing bonus through insurance. The team will obviously look to avoid a similar situation moving forward, and the signs are positive on that front entering training camp.