Dak Prescott dealt with a lot in 2021 from the death of his brother, experiencing depression, and rehabbing from the compound fracture of his right ankle. Also, he suffered strains to his shoulder and calf.

As he enters his seventh season in the NFL, Prescott comes into it with confidence that CeeDee Lamb can be the team's No. 1 option at wide receiver after the departure of Amari Cooper. Also, he's completely healthy, which has the former fourth-round pick ready to get back to competing.

"It's exciting," Prescott said. "Yeah, I mean throwing this morning and leaving that session, yeah, I mean pumped up just the way I feel, the leg feels, the arm feels, the body feels. Yeah, I'm excited."

Prescott's shoulder strain forced him to miss a lot of time during training camp. This came after spending the offseason rehabbing his ankle that ended his 2020 campaign in Week 5.

Prescott is in a different place health-wise so far this offseason. He had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder which he says feels great and there are no lingering effects from his ankle and calf ailments. It was a journey for him to get to this point but Prescott is confident that all of his hard work leaves him no reason to worry going forward.

"A year ago, you're excited because you're back on your leg," Prescott said. "You're moving it for the first time. From one week to the next you get to do two jumps to three jumps to jogging to sprinting, so you're excited and you feel progress. But a year [later], I get on the field and I don't even think about my leg.

"It goes from getting that leg better to that's not even a thought in my head. There's days, maybe the cold front comes in, that I might feel it a little bit more, but it's not a thought in my head or a worry or rehabbing on."

The Cowboys recently started their voluntary offseason workouts. Prescott, even before these sessions began, was one of the leaders conducting captains' workouts. This sets an example for other guys on the team about the importance of team chemistry and bonding which Prescott spoke on.

"That encouraged guys," said Prescott. "When they came around the building, they saw 15-20 guys around when we weren't even voluntary and when it's voluntary I'm sure all will be there, that they don't want to miss. You don't want to be the guy that's not building the chemistry or building what we're working on. I think it shows the character of the guys that we've got and credit to the front office and the coaches for getting people that want to be here when it's completely voluntary."

In the grand scheme of things, the Cowboys are hoping that the health of Dak Prescott remains intact and that it leads to playoff success in 2022.

But based off the attendance at voluntary workouts, it seems as if the Cowboys won't have to completely rely on Prescott. The team has obviously bought into the message for 2022, or else that many players wouldn't have shown up.

When you combine that along with Prescott's health, it's easy to see why big things could be in store for the Cowboys this year.

Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports