Cowboys: Dak Prescott's recent injury woes are fueling his desire to win
The Dallas Cowboys have established themselves as one of the NFL's best teams, well, at least in the regular season. Back-to-back 12-win campaigns have been great to see, but the drought of not reaching the NFC Championship Game is nearing 30 years which is unacceptable in North Texas. Speaking of 30, quarterback Dak Prescott will […]
The Dallas Cowboys have established themselves as one of the NFL's best teams, well, at least in the regular season.
Back-to-back 12-win campaigns have been great to see, but the drought of not reaching the NFC Championship Game is nearing 30 years which is unacceptable in North Texas.
Speaking of 30, quarterback Dak Prescott will hit that milestone age at the end of the month, and he's going into his eighth season. Unfortunately, Prescott has had injury issues for the last three years which have cost him 17 games, but it's fueling him to get the job done.
"One thousand percent," Dak said, via the team's website. "Just understanding injuries and what I've been throughout my career and understanding that you don't have forever to play this game. I'm blessed for every moment that I get. Just trying to take it with a sense of urgency."
Prescott has had multiple chances to push the Cowboys past the second round, and they came after big-time playoff performances by him. However, his play went down significantly in the defeats that followed, which has been a knock on Prescott and has given him a reputation for not seizing the biggest moments.
As a player, the chances that fall short in the postseason hurt more the older they get. Prescott realizes that, but it hasn't stopped his pretty basic approach to the game.
"I've always felt older I guess. Just being 30 doesn't necessarily bother me," Prescott said. "Knowing that I am the old guy, going into Year 8, seeing some of the young guys, some of the rookies and seeing the difference in eight years. It's fun and challenging at times, knowing that I stay connected and stay in the now with what's cool and whatnot. But this game is beautiful. It doesn't matter how old you are because you play this game like a kid."
It isn't a due-or-die season for Prescott necessarily. However, as the years keep going by and the Cowboys continue to not make it past the second round, it's going to be harder to shake the label of 'not quite good enough' that gets attached to Prescott.
Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
