[brid autoplay=”true” video=”777883″ player=”23231″ title=”5%20NFL%20players%20set%20to%20take%20that%20next%20step%20as%20sophomores%20in%202021″ duration=”123″ description=”The 2021 NFL Draft class has been the talk of the gridiron world recently. Even then, there’s a ton of young players from last year’s iteration set to take that next step as sophomores.Chase Young was great for his Washington Football Team as a rookie. However, the expectation is that the former No. 2 pick will enter the NFL Defensive Player of the Year conversation under Ron Rivera in the nation’s capital this coming season.On the offensive side of the ball, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been given the keys to the kingdom and has a shiny new toy. Could he excel as a sophomore?Below, we take a look at five second-year NFL players who will take that next step once the 2021 season comes calling in September.” uploaddate=”2021-05-06″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/777883_t_1620326394.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/777883.mp4″]
The Dallas Cowboys season fell apart in 2020 the moment after the gruesome Dak Prescott injury. Now, months after making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, Prescott is closing in on a return to the field.
Before fracturing his ankle in Week 5 against the New York Giants, Prescott was playing very well. As the Cowboys’ defense struggled, putting Dallas in holes it always had to dig out of, Prescott routinely found ways to keep the team alive.
He racked up 1,856 passing yards in less than five full games. He averaged the second-highest yards per attempt (8.4) and the most passing yards per game (371.2), posting a stellar 99.6 passer rating. He had Dallas on the path to winning the NFC East, but that all came crashing down after the injury.
Fortunately, with training camp approaching, the Cowboys are well on their way to having Prescott back under center in 2021.
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When will Dak Prescott return?
When Prescott first underwent surgery, there were concerns about his timetable for a return and just what he would look like when he got back on the field. But it didn’t take long for the Pro Bowl quarterback to respond, stating his determination to beat the recovery timeline.
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It seems everything is going well in Prescott’s recovery process. While mandatory minicamp is a month away and training camp is even further out, the 27-year-old provided a positive update on his recovery to The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
“I’m close. I can go play in a game right now and be very, very successful. So there is no doubt that when I need to be successful, when I need to do the things that it takes to be on the field, I’ll do exactly that and the time will be right.”
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott on his recovery status
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All indications point toward Prescott being fully healthy for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season and he could see snaps in the preseason. With Kellen Moore returning as offensive coordinator and the Cowboys benefiting from a normal offseason schedule to prepare, this offense shouldn’t take long to find its rhythm.
Naturally, everyone will be watching closely to see how he moves around post-surgery. Jerry Jones provided some eye-opening comments in December about Prescott’s eventual return, but the contract extension proved how much faith the organization has in its star quarterback.
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One thing to monitor will be the offensive line. Dallas is getting Tyron Smith and La’el Collins back this season, but neither tackle is a safe bet to stay healthy. After largely failing to address a deteriorating offensive line the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys will just have to hope everyone stays on the field in 2021.