Cowboys' Dak Prescott to Receive More Running Plays After Recovery from Ankle Injury

The Dallas Cowboys are planning to use Dak Prescott as a runner more often this season, according to head coach Mike McCarthy:

Prescott missed the final 11 games of 2020 because of a broken ankle, which also limited him throughout last offseason. He suffered a calf strain midway through 2021, although he missed only one game.

The quarterback is now preparing to go into 2022 at full strength.

"This is the healthiest I've been in a long, long time," Prescott told reporters last month.

Prescott did finish last season with 146 rushing yards on 48 carries, but his 3.0 attempts and 9.1 yards per game were both the lowest of his six-year NFL career. He was especially limited down the stretch, averaging 2.6 carries after the calf injury compared to 3.7 carries in the first six games.

The most notable difference came near the end zone, where Prescott was especially a threat early in his career.

The Pro Bowler had six rushing touchdowns in each of his first three seasons and 24 total in his first five years. He had just one rushing touchdown in 2021.

If Prescott can run more in 2022, it could add another dimension to an offense that already led the NFL in both points and total yards last year. It would especially help by forcing defenses to account for the quarterback, freeing up Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard on other run plays.

It could put the Cowboys on the right track toward making a deep run in the playoffs after losing in the first round in 2021.