Dak Prescott opens up about injury, Cowboys' woes

The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott were already enduring a rough season before Prescott went down with what became a season-ending hamstring injury back in Week 9. 

During a recent conversation with David Moore of The Dallas Morning News, Prescott opened up about all he's experienced over the past 12 months. 

"It’s been a tough year personally with my emotions because it’s a roller coaster," Prescott acknowledged. "It’s truly been ups and downs. I would say riding a wave I’m constantly preaching about not riding. Off the field, it’s been some of the most joyous times I ever could have imagined, dreamed of. Having a child, getting engaged, starting a family. But then on the football field, it’s probably been as tough of a season as I’ve ever had. I’d probably say the toughest." 

Coming off Dallas' third straight 12-5 season, Prescott signed a four-year contract extension reportedly worth $240M with $231M guaranteed. He then left much to be desired with his play before his setback, and the Cowboys went from a 3-2 team to a 3-7 side heading into this weekend.

According to Pro Football Reference, Prescott began Thursday ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 46.9 QBR and 27th with an 86.0 passer rating for the campaign. He tossed 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions over eight games. 

"The other day, after the game, I guess, it all just hit me," Prescott said about watching Dallas' disheartening 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans this past Monday night. "Boom, right. A couple of tears came down. This is going to hurt. It’s going to suck at times. You just have to understand this is one of the moments that it does. I don’t want anything right now other than to let it suck. It’s understanding and being able to voice that, 'Yeah, I’m blessed to be where I’m at.'"

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones will almost certainly show head coach Mike McCarthy the door come January. Dallas is routinely linked in rumors with Bill Belichick and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, but it's unclear what either of those individuals thinks about working with a 31-year-old signal-caller who now has a worrisome injury history. 

"There is a future," Prescott told Moore. "I know which direction I’m headed in. I know I will be faster, stronger and better than I ever have by the way I will attack this."