Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: I feel like I'm a better player than before injury

Although the Dallas Cowboys lost their 2021 season opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday night, star quarterback Dak Prescott looked very comfortable in his return to the field from a fractured ankle.

Following Thursday's 31-29 loss, Prescott told reporters he feels like he's a better player than when he left last season. 

"I don't feel like I say things just to say them, so that's just a credit to all the work I put in," Prescott said, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "I think when you invest that much work in rehab and prehab and just everything that has gone into the last 11 months for me to get on the field, I mean, I'm not surprised about the way that I went out there and fought. Ran the ball a couple times and did all the things that I'd normally do 11 months ago. No, I feel like I'm a better player than I was when I left the field [last year] and I told y'all that was the expectations I had for myself, and I'll continue to try to get better game in and game out."

The two-time Pro Bowler was on his game Thursday night, completing 42-of-58 passes for 403 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 13 yards and led a scoring drive that put the Cowboys up 29-28 with 1.24 left to play in the game. 

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers went on to drive for a game-winning field goal.

So, although the Cowboys lost, there are plenty of positives they can take away from their season opener. On top of Prescott balling out, wide receivers Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb combined for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

One area Dallas needs to see improvement next week, though, is in the running game. Ezekiel Elliott ran for just 33 yards on 11 carries. If he had more yards, maybe the Cowboys could've won the game. 

The Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Chargers next week as they look for their first win of the season.