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Dallas Cowboys’ Superstar Quarterback Dak Prescott Fractured and Dislocated his Right Ankle
Introduction
On Sunday, October 11th, 2020 the New York Giants faced off against their NFC East opponents in the Dallas Cowboys from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With 6 minutes and 33 seconds left in the third quarter of the game the Dallas Cowboys’ superstar starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, was tackled by the New York Giants defensive back, Logan Ryan, following a 9 yard run by Prescott.
On that play Dak suffered a catastrophic leg injury in which his right ankle endured a compound fracture as well as a dislocation as his foot was bent sideways. Prescott was carted off the gridiron in immense lower body pain as he was driven into the Dallas Cowboys’ locker room.
Medical Attention
Prescott was instantly rushed to a local hospital that Sunday night in order for medical professionals to address the gruesome injury. The Dallas Cowboys’ head team orthopedist, Dan Cooper, called in the well respected foot and ankle specialist, Gene Curry, to perform the necessary operations. Dak underwent immediate surgery on his right ankle to clean out the wound and repair the fracture, and the surgery was reportedly a great success.
Prescott’s Future with the Dallas Cowboys
The star quarterback is currently recovering at home and is reportedly in high spirits, but his services on the field for the Dallas Cowboys for the remainder of the 2020 – 2021 NFL season have now abruptly ended. This is a real shame as Prescott was franchise tagged by the Dallas Cowboys this year, and he was working hard towards earning himself a new blockbuster contract heading into the next NFL season. This injury may very well affect the quarterback’s value as both sides enter into future contract negotiations.
Replacing the Irrefutable Captain
Team officials for the Dallas Cowboys have insisted that Prescott will resume his role as the team’s offensive signal caller once he is cleared for football activities, but in the mean time the veteran NFL quarterback, Andy Dalton, will take over as the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback as of now.
“In nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him No. 35 overall in 2011, Dalton posted a 70-61-2 record, went to the playoffs four times and was named to the Pro Bowl three times. After a 2-11 record in 2019, his run with the Bengals came to an end when they drafted Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick,” according to Todd Archer of ESPN.
The NFC East Division
Over the course of the last couple seasons in the National Football League the NFC East division has been struggling mightily. With the Washington Football Team as well as the New York Giants ranking around the bottom of the league in almost every category including both organizations being winless this season, and the Philadelphia Eagles starting 1 – 3 – 1 the NFC East is obviously very much up for grabs. The Dallas Cowboys currently lead the weak division with an overall record of 2 and 3, and they hope Dalton can lead the Cowboys to winning the NFC East even if they endure another rough and ugly losing season.
Media Statements
"I know this young man very well," the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones stated. "I know the personal hardship and strife that he has faced, dealt with and overcome in his young life. And I know of no one who is more prepared, from the perspective of mental and emotional toughness and determination, than Dak Prescott to respond and recover from this challenge that has been put in front of him.
"He is an inspiration to everyone he touches. He has all of our love and support. And we have no doubt that he will return to the position of leadership and purpose that he brings to our team."
"It sucks. Yeah, it sucks," says the Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. "I know we won; it just sucks to lose Dak, our leader. And I was talking to the guys and it's going to take all of us. It's going to take all of us to fill that void that we're going to be missing from 4. Just gotta go out there and play for him."
"First and foremost, the worst thing that happened today was the Dak injury, it's bigger than football," the New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan expressed. "I feel terrible, it was a routine football play. ... You've got a guy, and I am in a similar position, he is scratching and clawing at one year on his deal to try and get rewarded, try to do the right thing, try to show up to work, try to lead his team, try to get a lucrative contract. He had to come out and prove it this year, so for him to get this type of injury, that's why I feel like Dak -- I hope he gets $500 million when he comes back. He deserves it. He is a hell of a quarterback."
"There was a flood of emotion, even from their bench," the Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy explained. "Obviously, there's relationships on their sideline that Dak has, and the respect everybody has for Dak. And that was clearly evident during those moments."
"You absolutely hate it for Dak," the Dallas Cowboys back up quarterback Andy Dalton proclaimed. "The way that he was playing this year and everything he's put into it, I hate to see that for him. So, it's emotional. You hate that injuries happen in this game -- unfortunately, they're part of it, and I'm definitely praying for him. It's been a lot of fun to be around him ever since I got here, just to see how he works, see how he prepares, and you can see with just the way that he's been playing this year."
Prescott's brother Tad tweeted: "He'll be back stronger than ever."
"I just feel terrible for him," says McCarthy. "He was having a tremendous year. In my short time working with him, he's made such an impression on me, and he's clearly the leader of this football team. I have no doubt that he'll bounce back from this and this will be all part of his great story. This will just be another chapter in a great story. He's a fine young man and an outstanding quarterback."
"You want to be in that situation, tie ballgame, chance to go down, two-minute drive, to win a game," Dalton exclaimed. "You want to instill confidence in everybody. I've obviously been in these situations multiple times. ... That's why you play this game, for moments like that."
"It's been a lot of fun to be around him," Dalton reiterated. "Ever since I got here, seeing how he works, how he prepares, you see it the way he played this year. I hate it for him. Definitely praying for him."
"One thing you see with this team, there's no flinch," Dalton expressed. "We play all the way to the end. That's what you love about it."
"You put the ball up anywhere close to [Gallup], he's able to come down with them," Dalton stated.
"He's a vet," Elliott explained. "It's hard to kind of put it in words, I'm sorry. I'm struggling a little bit right now, but Andy, he's a vet. When he gets in that huddle, he's very vocal. He's ready. That's really reassuring. He gets up there with confidence, and that makes it easier for the other players on this team. He's a guy that's played a lot of ball. He's a pro. He does things the right way."
"It's nice that we have those guys out there," says Dalton.
"Andy's got a lot of pelts on the wall. He's been a great addition to the quarterback room," McCarthy proclaimed. "It's a very healthy quarterback room. I expect Andy to keep our offense moving forward, and hopefully we can improve some. The one thing we haven't nipped in the bud yet is the turnovers. But we have great confidence in Andy."
"You never want anything [bad] to happen, but you have to stay ready," Dalton stated. "That's what I've done. I've stayed ready, and I've been ready to go into these games. You want to have the opportunity to play. I knew the situation I was in, and I was just trying my best to support Dak in whatever he was doing. But I feel like I was prepared for these moments."
"Absolutely not," the Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones reassured the Dallas media. "He's our future. He's special. If anyone can overcome anything, it would be Dak. This is something that our doctors feel good that he'll overcome and come back better than ever."
"He's in very good spirits," McCarthy exclaimed. "I know he's excited to get home and start the journey back, as you would expect from Dak, but he's doing OK."
"My focus is more on Dak, and make sure he gets the mental and emotional support because he's such a great teammate. He's the one that's always reaching out and doing so much for others. I think it's important for us at this time -- and not just during these first couple days -- but just to make sure that he's getting the support from us to help him on his journey back."
"He's our heartbeat. Just to lose him, just really just kills you in terms of deep down," Stephen Jones expressed. "For him, you hurt for everything that he stands for and I think we're still in shock. But certainly Dak is such a warrior. He's been through a lot. He's always overcome it and this is going to be no exception. He's going to get in there and do what he needs to do, I'm sure. Obviously everybody's prayers are with him. He should be able to do everything you need to do to rehab and come back ready to go. It's just a very difficult setback for him and for us. It's something that we feel great about him totally overcoming and be ready to go next year."
"You'd probably rather it be the front foot," an NFL executive said. "It could take some time for him to rediscover strength pushing off and getting explosion on his throws."
"He was at the point where he had complete control of that offense," an NFL coordinator explained. "He's putting them in the right plays and has a real chemistry with [offensive coordinator Kellen Moore]. He'll take what the defense gives him. He might not be top-top tier, but he's close."
Another opposing coordinator goes on to say, "Obvious leadership qualities and intangibles ... extremely physical for the position ... very difficult to take down, can drive the ball to any part of the field ... doesn't get enough credit for taking care of the ball. ... He can create and isn't afraid of the moment."
"The injury doesn't help, but I still think he'll be looking at a top-five-quarterback contract when this is all said and done," says an NFL executive.
"[Prescott] could be even better in an offense where he's not throwing the ball 58 times a game," explains the NFC executive. "He could really flourish there because of the balance they have."
"He's the face of that franchise and can continue to be," the executive continues. "It's not like they have a five-year plan at quarterback outside of him. He's the plan."
"Dalton is no slouch, especially in an offense that's better than any he's ever played on," an NFC executive reassures the press. "He played with confidence [on Sunday]."
"Dalton will manage it. With a beat-up offensive line, they should still lean heavily on Zeke and their play-action passing game," an NFC executive responded.
"New York and Washington won't be close, and Philadelphia doesn't have the playmakers for that offense to function," says an NFC executive. "The running game isn't great, and no receivers scare you. Dallas at least has that."
"Just want everyone to know that I'm doing well," Prescott proclaimed. "I can't thank you enough for your love, your support, your prayers over the last few days. They've been more than overwhelming.
"Just knowing that I have that much love and support out there makes a huge difference. I'm in great spirits."
"As I've found out in my short time here, he's going to challenge any timeline," McCarthy said.
"So I'm just ready to start this road to come back," Prescott stated. "I know this little adversity is just going to be another chapter in the book. I'm excited to move forward and write it.
"I'm looking forward to this football season, seeing the game from a different perspective and supporting my teammates and those around the league that need it. I'm just excited -- excited for God's purpose and God's plan. I know it's bigger than anything that I've seen or could imagine. I'm trusting him. My faith is doubled down more than ever."
"You just see the reaction everybody has that he's here, I just think that speaks volumes about him as a man and just the electricity that he brings to our football team," says McCarthy.
"I think you'll have that moment when you get out there. I think that's only natural," McCarthy explained. "Unfortunately, I've been through it before a couple of times. But on a personal note, it was great to see him today."
"The most important thing for him, at this point, is just get comfortable and try to get some sleep," McCarthy expressed.
Sources:
“Dak Prescott of Dallas Cowboys out of surgery for compound fracture, dislocation of right ankle”, Todd Archer, espn.com, October 11, 2020.
“Andy Dalton ready to take over for Dak Prescott, deliver for Cowboys”, Todd Archer, espn.com, October 12, 2020.
“Dallas Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones says injured QB Dak Prescott still 'our future'”, Todd Archer, espn.com, October 12, 2020.
“What's next for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys? NFL execs predict quarterback's future”, Jeremy Fowler, espn.com, October 13, 2020.
“Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott in 'great spirits,' ready to start comeback after injury”, espn.com, October 15, 2020.
“Dak Prescott”, pro-football-reference.com, October 16, 2020.
“Andy Dalton”, pro-football-reference.com, October 16, 2020.
“Dallas Cowboys Franchise Encyclopedia”, pro-football-reference.com, October 16, 2020.