Prescott 'definitely ready' for season opener vs. Bucs

Dak Prescott's offseason didn't go exactly according to plan this year, with the Dallas Cowboys quarterback sustaining a shoulder strain soon after recovering from a serious ankle injury suffered last October.

Although Prescott's shoulder issue limited his participation at training camp and kept him on the sideline throughout every preseason game, the two-time Pro Bowler said Friday he's "definitely ready" for the 2021 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.

"I think we went about this process the right way that part of it was protecting me from myself," Prescott said. "I mean, the moment I got into any team reps, I wasn't dialing anything down. I wasn't trying to throw a certain amount of percentage. I think that's just the way I play the game, I just went out there and playing within the moment, ripping passes, not thinking about it, just making the plays I needed to make.

"I've been sticking to the plan and it's all worked out," he added. "Yeah, from the shoulder to the leg to my mind, I'm ready to go."

Last week, Prescott participated in team drills for the first time since suffering the shoulder strain in July. The 28-year-old had previously said he was hoping to play at least one preseason game in 2021. But the Cowboys opted not to rush his return, raising some speculation about the seriousness of Prescott's injury.

However, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed on Friday that Prescott is a "full go" versus the Buccaneers in Week 1, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

"You've got to give him credit for the process that he worked himself through," McCarthy said. "It isn't like he just stood in the back and didn't do anything while he wasn't throwing. He's staying on top of the footwork. His conditioning couldn't be better. All the extra work that all these guys put into it, Dak took advantage of that time."

The 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year, who inked a four-year, $160-million extension this past offseason, has posted a 42-27 record with the Cowboys during the regular season. However, Prescott's only 1-2 in the playoffs.