The Dallas Cowboys kicked off minicamp on Tuesday with a notable absence: star quarterback Dak Prescott was not taking snaps in team drills. The reason? A sore knee. But before Cowboys Nation hits the panic button, head coach Brian Schottenheimer is urging calm.
Speaking to reporters, Schottenheimer confirmed that Prescott would be limited in practice due to the knee issue, but he emphasized that it's minor. "Brian Schottenheimer said Dak Prescott will be limited in team drills because of a sore knee. He said it’s nothing to be concerned about," ESPN's Todd Archer posted on X.
This isn't the only injury news from the Cowboys' camp. Starting safety Malik Hooker and safety Jalen Thompson were also limited, while wide receiver George Pickens was held out of team work entirely. The team is taking a cautious approach early in the offseason, but the sight of Prescott on the sidelines is enough to make any fan uneasy.
Prescott's 2025 campaign was a mixed bag. He played all 17 games, leading the league in completions, but the Cowboys stumbled to a 7-9-1 record, largely due to a historically porous defense. Prescott still posted solid numbers: 4,552 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. But back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the early 2000s have left fans impatient.
Unsurprisingly, the news of Prescott's limited participation sparked a wave of anxiety on social media. "That every other year Dak curse in full affect," one fan lamented. Another wrote, "Please tell me this is just him not pushing himself physically fully at minicamp and not actually an injury issue." The pessimism was palpable: "Just throw the season away," a third fan declared. One commenter summed up the mood: "I really hope it’s minor, but man if Dak misses extensive time once again in 2026, the #Cowboys really need to invest in his successor."
Given Prescott's injury history—including a season-ending ankle injury in 2020 and various other ailments—the concern is understandable. But Schottenheimer's reassurance suggests the team isn't alarmed. The Cowboys are hoping to bounce back after two losing seasons, and a healthy Prescott is key to that goal.
For now, the team is taking it slow. The limited participation at minicamp is likely just a precaution, but it serves as a reminder of how fragile the Cowboys' fortunes can be. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Prescott's recovery and whether he can stay on the field.
In other Cowboys news, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb recently admitted that the new Cowboys defense is a headache to face in practice, which could be a positive sign for the team's improvement on that side of the ball. Meanwhile, the pressure is mounting on the Cowboys to end their playoff drought. If Prescott can stay healthy, they have the talent to make a run.
