Cowboys Say 'No Setback' With QB Dak Prescott Second Surgery

"Dak is our quarterback,'' Jerry recently repeated. But are there doubts about Prescott's post-surgery future?

FRISCO - While multiple sources from inside the Dallas Cowboys organization continue to tell CowboysSI.com that Dak Prescott's second ankle surgery "is not a setback,'' and while both Jerry and Stephen Jones have expressed public faith and confidence in the quarterback's full recovery and future leadership of the team, Dallas talk-show host Mike Bacsik offers a different angle.

"I’m just telling you,'' Bacsik said on the air on Friday midday "K & C Masterpiece'' show on 105.3 The Fan, "I know something and the Cowboys know it, too, and Dak knows it, too.”

Bacsik, for the record, was the first media personality to suggest that a second surgery occurred. That fact was verified on Super Bowl weekend, sources telling CowboysSI.com and other outlets that Prescott underwent an additional procedure to, as one source put it to us, "to completely stabilize the ankle and do clean-up.''

Additionally, we've been told that despite it all, there is no impact on the franchise's plans to try to sign their quarterback to a long-term contract prior to the March 9 deadline for applying the franchise tag, but then, if needed, tag Prescott a second time for a cost of about $37.7 million.

READ MORE: Dallas, Says Stephen A. Smith, Should Trade Dak For Deshaun; How Would That Work?

Dallas and Prescott did the same thing last year, sources telling CowboysSI.com exclusively that the Cowboys offered a five-year, $175 million deal ($35 million APY) including about $110 million guaranteed. Prescott's side - driven by agent Todd France - declined that offer, asking for a shorter-term deal, eventually causing the two sides to work under the $31.409 million tag.

We're told Prescott is walking without crutches, "rehabbing aggressively'' (per one source) and involved in weight-bearing exercises with plans to be ready for the 2021 NFL season.

Logically, though, any stumbles in negotiations could result in questions about the rehab. And at the same time, any stumbles in the rehab could figure to impact negotiations.

Cowboys bosses Jerry and Stephen Jones, however, have long-insisted they have no medical concerns and will negotiate in earnest.

"Dak is our quarterback,'' Jerry recently repeated.

Added Stephen: "He's our future. His makeup is all the right things. He’s a great leader. He’s a great player. ... (Signing Prescott) is at the top (of Dallas' offseason priority list.)''

Prescott continues to give the same optimistic impression, as evidenced by a recent social-media post.

Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin: Dak, wanna run it back in a few months?

Dak: That’s the only way I see it pic.twitter.com/lJEIYq6dng

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 12, 2021

READ MORE: Where's Dak Prescott On Dallas Cowboys 'To-Do List'?

And Dak's brother Tad is adamant in his agreement with our team sources that there simply isn't an issue here.

But Bacsik, a former Major League pitcher whose wife is a physician, insists that his concern is well-founded, adding via Twitter that he is "rooting for and praying for Dak.''