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Alex Smith wants to be clear: His path to recovery is not the same as Dallas Cowboys player Dak Prescotts. But as the NFL’s 2020 return player, Smith is thinking back to his own tibia and tibial fracture rehabilitation, which is further complicated by a life-threatening infection. Now that he’s holding Prescotts back from a combined ankle fracture and dislocation, Smith is eager to see how the double Pro Bowler conquers the field. He believes NFL fans should be excited.
Dak is one of the most unique athletes in the NFL, I think, and I really think like a freak point of view, Smith told USA TODAY Sports this week over Zoom. He is so strong, powerful, such a good athlete. So I’m really looking forward to him coming back and moving. Then you add it to his enthusiasm and mental perspective?
I think he has a huge, huge year.
Prescott certainly hopes so.
More than eight months removed from the planned run gone wrong, he did not look back two cuts, crutches and boots. Prescott no longer focuses on gradual rehabilitation gains, like days when he found he could jump a little farther or run a little faster. An adrenaline rush, while throwing a football, is a remnant of spring, depending on both feet. In addition to live pass-rush exercises, he was eventually accepted to participate in all OTA and mandatory minicamp activities. Prescott says he had fully recovered from the first week of May.
Then I said to my head: The damage is gone, Prescott said June 9 from Cowboys headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Ive buried the injury, honestly. You know me. In practice, Ive buried it just to move on and in my life.
Ive buried it mentally.
Smith, who retired in April after 16 NFL seasons, the values of Prescotts emphasize this focus.
Its fun he says it because I think it’s so true, Smith said. People think about the physical part, he does his rehabilitation. Is he as fast, strong as agile? A lot of it when you step on the field at this level is confidence, right? I think you have to break down the walls you’ve built through the injury during the process. I think it’s important to do that before you step on the field. So it’s good to hear him say that.
The Cowboys gave Prescott a strong vote of confidence in March. Sure, Prescott will fully recover, demands that hell not only return to its shape, but return better Dallas signed him to a four-year, $ 160 million deal guaranteeing $ 126 million. Prescott played 2019 and 2020 with expired contracts, playing his rookie contract before settling for the franchise tag last year after he and the team failed to reach a long-term financing arrangement.
Before his injury ended last October, he made 68% of his passes to the 1856 yard, nine touches and four interruptions. He also ran to three points and produced a TD on his first NFL reception. Still, the Cowboys unit, which had historically poor defenses and a battered line of attack, opened the season despite 2-3 Prescott efforts. Dallas went 4-7 without him. Add it to the reasons Smith believes the force of Prescotts ’return.
Last year was such a great example for all of us when he left the remaining gap, Smith said. He is such a good player and knows how to do so many things and is so talented. So excited to get him back on the field.
After nearly two years of absence from his creepy leg injury, Smith returned to life in NFL operations last season on October 11, ironically, the same day Prescott fell. Prior to that, Smith practiced football mechanics and determined the best footrest to resist his permanent drop foot. But he had not yet been treated. This changed three clicks after he replaced injured Washington starter Kyle Allen, a perennial All-Pro defense equipment from Aaron Donald LA Rams.
But his leg held on. He says he knew when he was okay. Prescott attached to Smith, who reports bold award winners from the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards on Monday starting as an inspiration for his return.
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I have to thank Alex, Prescott said at a press conference on March 10 when he announced his new contract. Seeing someone who has already done it and done it in really worse circumstances? It made my mind go straight: Hi, I can do this. I am going to win this. It’s just a matter of time.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy expects Prescott to be fully available for training camp, quarterback already cycling from seven to seven and mixing drills during offseason training. By early June, Prescott was able to turn and continue plays by changing direction without pain or lingering pain.
Cowboys open on the road against Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9. September league regular season opening show.
I’ve pumped, I hope he has an amazing year, said Smith, who ended his career by competing with the Cowboys at NFC East.
Clearly, you just might not win the split.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.
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