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Prescott 'definitely' wants to play in preseason

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Dak Prescott is itching to play full-speed football before the regular season starts in his comeback from a gruesome ankle injury.

After participating in his first full practice of training camp on Friday, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback said he hopes to get the chance to shake off the rust in the preseason, though he's unsure if he'll play the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I definitely want to play. As far as giving you a number or quantity of how much I need to, I just want to obviously get back out there and get some reps before it's real," Prescott said, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "Just to have a live defense coming at me, hopefully not take too many licks because I have great protection, but that's part of the game, and I think it would obviously be great to get up from that, wipe it off and be just another process of burying the injury. I think it will be huge."

Prescott suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle last October. He spent the offseason program slowly working his way up to full speed with the aim of being ready to go by training camp.

The 27-year-old said the injury was no longer on his mind during the first session.

Prescott and the Cowboys will have a tough first test in 2021. They square off against the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular-season opener on Sept. 9.

The quarterback, who signed a four-year, $160-million extension in March, is excited for his team to test itself against the NFL's best.

"What a special way to start this season off, not only for us but for this league, for fans: America's Team playing obviously the reigning Super Bowl champions with the best quarterback to do it," Prescott said. "I'm excited for them. I'm excited for the matchup against this defense, a very talented defense.

"I know our defense is very excited for that matchup against Tom and his guys. It's going to be special, not only for us in Cowboys nation but for this NFL. It will be a great way to kick off the season and kick off our season the right way."

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