Former NFL head physician breaks down Dak Prescott injury

Former NFL head physician, Dr. David Chao spoke about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s lingering injury situation on the FantasyPros NFL Podcast. Chao stated on the show that fans should “not really” be concerned about Dak Prescott’s 2021 season.

Dak Prescott injury physician breakdown

As the video begins, Chao was asked if he felt fantasy football owners if they should be scared about Prescott’s injury. Prescott ranked fifth among all quarterbacks in the NFL according to FantasyPros.

“Not really,” Chao replied. “There’s an adage when I was in the NFL with the team… never too high, never too low. You’ve got to be more even keel. The minute Dak was injured with that ankle, I was optimistic he will be ready week one. It’s not the end of his career and what have you. But he might not be 100%. Yeah he’s pretty close, he’s in the 90’s with his ankle.”

Chao went on to describe how Prescott’s latest shoulder injury could have been a byproduct of bringing him back too soon. His concerns grew as the Cowboys downplayed the severity, as his expertise led him to believe this would be a multi-week injury.

“But because his ankle wasn’t fully strong he probably overthrew and strained his latissimus. The team said ‘no big deal, nothing to see here’ basically. And even though there was worry of fatigue, Mike McCarthy backtracked on that. I was saying… a positive MRI doesn’t show up with fatigue. This is going not day-to-day, this is multi-week.”

Prescott’s recovery timeline

Despite Chao’s concerns with Prescott’s injury, he admitted his surprise that it would keep him out for the entirety of the preseason. Chao’s initial assessment was that he wouldn’t be out for the time it has taken.

“Even back then at the beginning of training camp, I didn’t think it would leak into the regular season. But I also didn’t think it was a nothing [injury]. And now we’re three going on four weeks in. Yes he’s coming back around, he’s throwing some… [but] not all throws being worked in.”

Regardless of the length of time it’s taken, Chao still believes there’s no reason for fantasy owners and Cowboys fans to be concerned. He believes Prescott will return ready to play, and play well.

“In the beginning I didn’t think it was nothing. And when he got the second MRI I didn’t pull the alarm and say it was terrible. He should be ready and he will play week one. And play fairly well I believe, between the ankle and the shoulder.”