Dallas Cowboys superstar quarterback Dak Prescott has already reportedly returned to the practice field on Thursday and is already throwing just 10 days after surgery on his hand.
Prescott and his hand are one of the biggest stories in the NFL right now. It is par for the course when it comes to the starting QB on “America’s Team.” After incurring a fracture to his thumb in the team’s opening weekend loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there have been all sorts of speculation about when the organization’s most expensive player could return to the field.
Much of the talk has come from the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The Dallas boss has consistently taken a positive stance on his quarterback’s recovery timeline since the injury. The common belief was that Jones could be looking at the situation through rose-colored glasses. Especially since surgeons have suggested it will take at least a month for the option of Prescott suiting up to become realistic.
Related: NFL insider says Dak Prescotts Dallas Cowboys return is realistic in Week 6 versus Eagles
Even NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport laid out the most likely time on Wednesday and pointed to a return in Week 6 as likely when he said, “the timeline basically goes like this. It’ll be seven to 10 days for Dak Prescott just to heal the wound. Then about another 10 days to two weeks to reduce the swelling. Then another two to three weeks to make sure that he can grip an NFL football.”
Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott was seen throwing a training ball at practice Thursday
Well, despite common sense and history pointing toward a Prescott comeback in a few weeks, it seems like the QB could be ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery. On Thursday, Pro Football Focus reported the word out of Cowboys practice Thursday, and it shockingly included Prescott being seen throwing a training ball already.
“Reporters at the team’s practice session shared photos of Prescott on the field and doing some drills with other quarterbacks. Prescott did not take any snaps or handle a football, but he was seen gripping and throwing a training ball 10 days after having surgery on his right thumb.”
While not an actual football, the fact that the two-time Pro Bowler is doing any work already, based on previous estimates, is pretty surprising. Adding to the shock is the fact that Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy also revealed earlier in the day that his QB still has the stitches in his surgically repaired thumb.
Jerry Jones is as in the know as much as anyone, and it seems his optimism may actually be based on some solid evidence Prescott could be back sooner than expected, as opposed to foolish hope.
The Cowboys face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 3 of the NFL schedule.