Cowboys news: Dak Prescott wants to play in preseason, no issues with ankle injury after practice

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott practices fully, wants to play in preseason - Todd Archer, ESPN

QB Dak Prescott spoke to the press today after going through a full practice on Thursday.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott keeps checking off the boxes in his return from a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle he suffered last October. On Thursday, he went through his first full practice, including 11-on-11 drills.

“There was no part of practice that I thought about my ankle, thought about any physical thing holding me back, to be honest with you,” Prescott said.

Next month, he will play in the preseason, although maybe not the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I definitely want to play. As far as giving you a number or quantity of how much I need to, I just want to obviously get back out there and get some reps before it’s real,” Prescott said. “Just to have a live defense coming at me, hopefully not take too many licks because I have great protection, but that’s part of the game, and I think it would obviously be great to get up from that, wipe it off and be just another process of burying the injury. I think it will be huge.”

Veteran Safety To Visit Cowboys Again - Rob Phillips, DallasCowboys.com

The Cowboys may finally somewhat invest in the safety position.

OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys could be adding more experience to the safety position.

Malik Hooker, a four-year NFL veteran, is expected to take his second free agent visit to the Cowboys in the past four months.

Hooker, 25, visited in the early in the stages of free agency but a deal did not materialize. The Cowboys also met with Damontae Kazee in the spring and signed the former Falcons safety, who played four seasons for Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Atlanta.

This time, it’s possible Hooker and Kazee will become teammates.

Hooker, the 15th overall pick back in 2017, was a productive starter for the Colts his first three seasons, posting 124 tackles, seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. A torn Achilles’ tendon ended his 2020 season after only two games, however, and the Colts didn’t re-sign him once his rookie contract ended.

Kazee is also returning from a 2020 Achilles tear and told reporters Thursday that he feels “110%.” He’ll compete for a starting job here in Oxnard.

Reggie Robinson Stands Out in Dallas Cowboys First Training Camp Practice - John Williams, Inside the Star

Second-year DB Reggie Robinson could play a role in 2021.

It would be difficult for any rookie to make an impact their first year with a team after as soon as the player is drafted, the team changes his position. That was the first year for Reggie Robinson, who the Dallas Cowboys switched from cornerback to safety in 2020, only to leave him on the sideline when the team struggled to find healthy cornerbacks in the second half of the season.

With a new defensive coordinator and a fresh start, Robinson was moved back to cornerback, his college position. Through one practice out in Oxnard, California, it appears that Robinson is impressing.

In the video, you can see several starters in the 11-on-11 drill. Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Donovan Wilson, CeeDee Lamb, and Blake Jarwin all flash on the screen. It’s in coverage of Blake Jarwin that Reggie Robinson can break up the pass in the team drill.

Heading into year two, Robinson has a huge opportunity in front of him. Only Trevon Diggs is a lock to start or get significant playing time at cornerback in 2021. That leaves the other outside cornerback spot and the slot wide open for a new face in the secondary. Even with the additions of Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, and Israel Mukuamu in the 2021 NFL Draft, Robinson still has the talent to force his way onto the field.

Season Outlook: What will it take for Prescott to win MVP in 2021? - Corey Douglas, Dallas Sports Fanatic

Is Dak a legit MVP candidate in 2021?

Expectations could not be higher for Dak Prescott as he enters year 6 in the NFL and his first season since signing his long-term contract that currently has him as the NFLs highest paid player per season.

The Cowboys completed their first training camp practice on Thursday and Dak is “full go,” according to head coach Mike McCarthy after the team held Dak out of team drills during the offseason.

On Thursday in the teams first practice of 2021 training camp, Dak did miss some throws but more importantly, he was looking like himself as far as moving around on the field.

The team is off on Friday and will resume practice on Saturday.

Former Dallas Cowboy Marcus Spears said on ESPN that Prescott would be Patrick Mahomes’ biggest challenger for MVP in 2021.

Prescott is the favorite to win ‘Comeback Player of the year’ and has the 8th best odds to win NFL MVP, tied with Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert.

The only quarterbacks ahead of him are, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady.

Since 2000, only four non quarterbacks have won the award. Marshall Faulk in 2000, Shaun Alexander in 2005, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 and most recently Adrian Peterson in 2012.

The only Cowboy to bring home the award was Emmitt Smith in 1993.

How realistic is winning MVP for Prescott in 2021?

Spagnola: The Band Is All Back Together Again - Mickey Spagnola, DallasCowboys.com

Now please stay healthy.

For the Dallas Cowboys during their first official training camp practice Thursday preparing for their 2021 season with hopes of big rebound, this had to be a painting they had been anxiously anticipating for quite some time.

Dak Prescott once again under center.

Tyron Smith out there at left tackle, and what a sight to see after having played just two games last year.

La’el Collins at right tackle, where a balky hip vacated his 2020 season.

Zack Martin back at right guard after missing the final five games of last season.

Blake Jarwin back at tight end after lasting no more than 25 snaps in last year’s season opener, a torn ACL on that 25th snap costing him the rest of the season.

Even defensively, Leighton Vander Esch, not only back on the field after missing six games last year, including the final two, and not only that, but back where he belongs at weakside linebacker.

Man, even the somewhat stoic Mike McCarthy couldn’t contain a smile starting his second season as the Cowboys’ head coach after last year’s 6-10 false start.

“Stating the obvious, we are a different team with our veteran players coming back,” McCarthy said on Friday just after what he calls a “re-gen” practice in the morning, meaning regeneration day after Thursday’s camp opener. “Just watching them go through the rehab and feeling good about the return, it definitely will be a huge impact to our roster, huge impact to our team, and that’s why we want to have a healthy, competitive training camp, and that will be a big part of our success.”

Injuries early in Cowboys training camp open up an opportunity for DE Bradlee Anae - Terrence Watson, Blogging the Boys

Bradlee Anae season.

The day we’ve all been waiting for has already arrived. The Dallas Cowboys have begun training camp. We’ve learned a few things at the opening of camp, one of which may have been a surprise to many and that’s the limited status of Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (PUP list). With Lawrence being eased back into action, there will be opportunities for other pass rushers to shine at camp. We talked about this idea yesterday when discussing the wide receivers and noted that Amari Cooper’s absence (also on PUP) would open things up for younger players to shine.

One pass rusher looking to make his presence felt is second-year defensive end Bradlee Anae. He was rarely used by defensive coordinator Mike Nolan last season after the team drafted him. Coming out of Utah, Anae was seen as a steal for the Cowboys in the fifth round thanks to his impressive pass rush skills that allowed him to rack up 29.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss in three seasons in college. That didn’t translate into playing time in 2020 as Anae basically only saw the field on special teams. Many thought the Cowboys would have used him more than they did but instead he was buried on the roster with the additions of Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith who returned from suspensions.

Anae also had another bit of luck in terms of getting reps at training camp this year when it was announced rookie defensive end Chauncey Golston is dealing with a hamstring injury that will keep possibly keep him off the field for some time. Golston, like Lawrence, landed on the PUP list. If there was ever a chance for Anae to separate himself from the defensive ends on this roster fighting to make the team, this is the time.

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