Of the many roles that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott plays in Dallas–as if star quarterback and best player isn’t enough–team psychologist and motivational speaker is one that suits him particularly well. Prescott can approach teammates both as a star player who’s been lavished with accolades, and as an underdog whom few believed in when he was a fourth-round pick from Mississippi State. He probably needs both approaches with teammates Trevon Diggs these days.
Diggs has been a star, a Pro Bowler, and the recipient of a monster $97 million contract. But lately, as injuries to both knees have worn away at his production and at the willingness of the Cowboys to put him back on the field after a stint on the injured list, Diggs is no doubt feeling that folks at The Star have turned against him.
Diggs has not played since suffering a concussion at home in October. He was supposed to come back last week, but Cowboys coaches apparently have not liked what they’ve seen from him. Because he and Prescott are two of the longest-tenured Cowboys on the roster, Prescott said he’s been helping Diggs through this difficult season.
Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs ‘Talk a Good Bit’
Speaking to reporters on Thursday evening after Cowboys practice, Prescott said he’s been both honest and motivational with Diggs, whom he feels can still help the team.
“Me and Diggs talk a good bit,” Prescott said. “I would say my role is to come in and just being optimistic, being the motivator in that sense. Knowing what he is going through, knowing that he wants to play, thinking that he may have been called up or got back last week and then didn’t—for whatever the reason, just being able to talk to through it, being a sounding board and honestly just giving him real honest feedback.
“You know, not what he is wanting to hear but just, probably this is what the coaches are thinking, this is what you present, this is what you’re giving them. This is the best way that I can see.”
GettyDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott
Cowboys Not Happy With Trevon Diggs as he ‘Ramps Up’
Speaking on Diggs earlier this week, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated–without specifics–that somehow Diggs had come up short in his “ramp up” period before the Week 14 game against the Lions.
Physically, it appeared as though Diggs was ready to go. But he complained earlier in the year about the lack of man-to-man coverage in new coordinator Matt Eberflus’s defense, and it is possible that he is still struggling with the new scheme.
Asked what Diggs needed to do better to get back on the field, Schottenheimer said, “Everything. Consistency through everything. He’s no different than Dak Prescott or Jake Ferguson or Kenny Clark. Just continue to do everything the right way. Thought last week was a good first step and hopefully this week is an even better step, and if it is, you’ll see him out there.”
Dak Prescott Pulling for Cowboys Teammate
Prescott, though, said he still has belief in Diggs. And the Cowboys secondary–which has been patched together throughout the season–certainly could use him back on the field.
“He is growing,” Prescott said of Diggs. “He is growing each and every day in every aspect of it. I am excited for him to continue to get healthy. I am excited for him to get back to being the guy he is confident of being and being able to make those plays.”
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