As fans have been reminded in the past two days, injuries to star quarterbacks like Dak Prescott grab attention unlike any other similar setback in sports. Tom Brady went through it in 2008, when the spotlight was more intense because he already had three Super Bowl victories to his credit, but we’ve also seen it time after time since.

Prescott will have to go through the recovery and rehabilitation largely away from his teammates, but Brady sees something in the Dallas Cowboys signal-caller that suggests a successful next chapter to his career.

Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury was the day’s big news

The day of Oct. 11 was something different in the world of sports. It’s football season at that time of the year. And, of course, the baseball playoffs are always in progress then, too. But the other events of the day included a history-making day in Formula One racing courtesy of Lewis Hamilton and French Open tennis by Rafael Nadal, not to mention what would prove to be the deciding game of the NBA championship series.

And, yet, one play from one of the day’s 11 NFL games dominated much of the news cycle. The Dallas Cowboys were leading the New York Giants 24-23 midway through the third quarter late in the afternoon of their NFL Week 5 game when Dak Prescott sustained an injury to his lower right leg.

Prescott was on the run when Giants cornerback Logan Ryan pulled him down from the side. Prescott’s right leg was pinned beneath him at an awkward angle, bending the ankle at an extreme angle. It was immediately obvious that the quarterback had suffered a serious injury.

The quarterback was placed on the medical cart and taken directly for x-rays. After the brief examination at AT&T Stadium, Prescott was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation, and doctors determined that he needed surgery to repair a compound fracture and dislocation.

He underwent the procedure later that night and was discharged the following day. Prescott now faces an estimated four to six months of recovery time.

Tom Brady can certainly relate

Dak Prescott was coming off the biggest statistical season of his fledgling career when he was injured in Week 5 of the 2020 season. Although his completion percentage was down slightly, he threw for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019.

There is a similarity to be drawn with Tom Brady, then of the New England Patriots. Brady had thrown for 50 touchdowns, still his career high, and 4,806 yards in 2007, his eighth pro season and seventh as a starter.

Coming off a perfect regular season that ended with a loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, the Patriots were poised for a big 2008 season until Brady was injured early in the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. A hit by safety Bernard Pollard left Brady with tears to the ACL and MCL in his left knee, ending the quarterback’s season and his streak of 111 consecutive starts.

Brady returned in 2009 to throw for 4,398 yards and 28 scores.

Tom Brady sees an important trait in Dak Prescott

Appearing Monday on his weekly Westwood One Radio show, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady discussed the misfortune of Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott, saying,

“It’s very difficult to see players get hurt and go through tough injuries.”

Brady noted that the physical recovery from surgery is a separate process from the rehabilitation, so Prescott will need to avoid getting ahead of himself.

In a little under five games this fall, Prescott piled up 1,856 yards and nine TDs. Brady likes the chances of Prescott making it all the way back to where he was before the injury.

“One thing about great competitors, they have great discipline,” Brady said, as transcribed by The Spun. “They know how to get through rehabs and try to get the best outcome that you can. I know his teammates appreciate him.

“Dak is shown a lot of love and support by his teammates, which shows to me that they connect with him very well. He’s a great leader. He’s had a great career to this point and we’re all hoping for the very best in his recovery.”

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference