Dac Prescott hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since last October – a combination of a broken ankle and shoulder injury that ended the 2020 campaign that wiped out this pre-season.
Ezekiel Elliott, meanwhile, is coming to his least productive season as a Dallas Cowboy, as he has lost his effectiveness in some business seasons after two business seasons in Ohio State and two more years of work stress?
The Czech didn’t take a single moment this pre-season as the Cowboys were trying to save him from whatever was possible.
It doesn’t look like the performance pressure for the duo to go to the NFL Opening Night on Thursday could increase further, as Dallas travel to face incumbent Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Since then, Dallas’ top offensive lineman, six-time Pro Bowl Jack Martin, has tested positive for Covid-1 for two and needs two test negative results until Thursday to play.
Elliott said, “Jack is our best player in our offense. “I mean most runs, they’re coming back after him.”
The tone of Elliott’s voice expressed all the necessary concern. He and Prescott are all telling the right things and are definitely not shying away from going into the season, but they knew how difficult it was going to be under the best conditions. This is no longer the case.
“It’s frustrating but you can’t play the harp on it, you can’t let it go beyond what it is,” Elliott said. “I mean, of course he’s going to be missed, definitely he wants to be out, but we have another game to play.”
Although Jack Martin can’t play, Dak Prescott (4), Ezekiel Elliott and Cowboy Tampa Bella can lose, but overcoming an already tough opener is another challenge. (Team Hitman-USA Today Sports)
While Jack Martin can’t play, Duck Prescott (4), Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys can beat Tampa Bella, but overcoming an already tough opener is another challenge. (Team Hitman-USA Today Sports)
The basics are clear. Prescott will probably have to move more often to avoid a box pass rush while harassing Patrick Mahoms in the Super Bowl. And Elliott won’t have the kind of hole he’s hoped for. Moreover, neither of them played some meaningful moments.
Prescott has participated in only five practices since shoulder strain on July 27th. A lot of them were cautious and this is an experienced player, but still, he’s basically entering the cold season. Not that he would use it as a crutch.
“I’m definitely ready,” he said last week. “I’m excited. I’ve done a lot of work at this stage. A few months ago, ankle rehabilitation, the last few [weeks] I’ve been working with my hands and feet. I’ve done a lot of work in it. …
“Of course, I have high expectations of me,” Prescott added. “I’m thinking of starting fast.”
Dallas has always been one of the league’s leaders in off-season hype – even though they don’t have a “hard knock” look this year – regardless of whether he’s right or not. This is a team that only went 6-10 last year. The Cowboys weren’t much with Prescott (1-3), but they parted ways after a compound fracture to his right ankle in the 5th week.
Regardless, one year after Elliott got a similar contract, Prescott got a prosperous contract extension … just for a lower production. Zack reported career lows in yards (979), attempts per yard (4.0) and touchdowns (6). He was under pro football focus, running at 10 yards (2.82) after contact, 10 yards (just 22) and a different percentage (less than 11.6).
It was easy for a fugitive to be suddenly safe. Elliott did not back down from his performance.
Elliott said, “I think the hardest part of last year was that you felt like you disappointed your colleagues. “It hurts … just because I had last year, you don’t need more motivation than that. I just know what kind of player I am. I don’t think I showed it last year. I have a lot to prove.”
With that vein, he camped at 218 pounds, up from 228 last year. He looked thinner, faster and more explosive. Let’s see.
Thursday was expected to be a bit of an outing for both of them. Prescott wants to show that he is fit for a four-year, 160 million contract extension and is ready to take the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.
Prescott said, “I didn’t need the numbers I had at the beginning of my career. “Because we weren’t winning games and we weren’t competitive early, and so there were a number of them. To be honest I plan to come out better than last year. ”
Elliott wants to prove that he is not already on the cusp of his career and that he and Prescott can cement themselves as champions, not just the stars in Dallas.
