Dak Prescott: Week 1 'means more than the opponent'

Dak Prescott will return to the field for the first time since he suffered a devastating ankle injury in October. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys' Dak Prescott: Week 1 vs. Buccaneers 'means more than the opponent and their rings'

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/12/21

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers learned on Wednesday morning they will begin the defense of their Super Bowl LV championship on Thursday, Sept. 9 with a home game against the Dallas Cowboys.

That matchup won't be any ordinary season opener for Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who is reportedly "on track" to return to meaningful action that Thursday night for the first time since he suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle on Oct. 11.

Ahead of Wednesday's official full NFL schedule release, Prescott spoke with ESPN's Ed Werder about the showdown that is still four months down the road:

I asked #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott the significance of returning from his first serious NFL injury by playing Tom Brady and the SB champion @Buccaneers. He replied, “I’m excited to get back on the field. This game means more than the opponent and their rings.”
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) May 12, 2021

Prescott, who signed a four-year contract extension potentially worth $160 million in March, raised eyebrows last week when he said he "can go play in a game right now and be very, very successful." That won't be necessary, but the 27-year-old will have plenty of time to prepare for a Buccaneers team that will largely look like the squad that toppled the Kansas City Chiefs in February.

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