Dak Prescott was balling again.

After throwing an interception early, Prescott had settled back into the game on Sunday and was doing what he’s done all season. The Cowboys offense looked unstoppable, once again scoring on every drive as long as they stayed out of their own way.

Driving towards the end zone and looking to put separation between them and the Giants, Prescott dropped back, then immediately bursted forward on the quarterback draw play. It was blocked perfectly, as Prescott ran towards the near sideline as fought for the first down.

It’s never been in his DNA to go down easy. As he got the edge I immediately started thinking of his legendary stiff arms – like when he demolished Josh Norman in Washington or got up jawing with Malcolm Jenkins after driving him into the ground.

This is what Dak does. He’s a warrior, a fighter. The heart and soul of a football team who may not even deserve the level of effort and commitment he brings.

Oh no.

Former Cowboys quarterback, and the man Dak Prescott ultimately replaced due to injury in 2016, Tony Romo let out the words we all felt. He wishfully hoped it was just a cramp, but any reasonable person knew what had just happened. The Cowboys had lost their leader.

This hasn’t been the season any fan thought it could be. Despite an embarrassment of riches on the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys are just 2-3, unable to stop anyone on the defense most weeks. There’s been boneheaded mistakes, embarrassing moments, and turmoil everywhere through five games.

Dak Prescott had been nothing short of phenomenal, however. Week in and week out. And it goes way beyond the eye popping numbers.

The Cowboys will play 11 more games this season, led by the veteran Andy Dalton. They sit in first place of the division with an inside track to hosting a playoff game in January. But after Prescott’s injury, it all just feels empty right now.

If there’s anyone who can battle back and get better from this, it’s Dak Prescott. The improbable fourth quarter comebacks he’s led are an example of that, and the outpouring of support in the moments post-injury prove how respected he is.

As he was taken off the field yesterday we saw just another reason he’s worthy of a long-term contract. Why he’s earned the right to be the Cowboys quarterback for however long he can play the game. The players were distraught, circling around him as he lied on the ground in literal tears. Ezekiel Elliott immediately threw up four fingers after scoring his touchdown, a homage to their franchise quarterback.

Dak Prescott is the Dallas Cowboys. And I can only hope that the Jones family sees it the same way.