Dak Prescott’s injury occurred during the second half of the Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and the Dallas Cowboys will be without their star quarterback for multiple weeks.
Prescott sustained a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 28-24 loss, and while he initially hoped for a quick recovery, further assessments on Monday indicated that he might need more time to heal than previously expected.
Prescott’s Recovery Timeline Remains Unclear
The timeline for Prescott’s return remains uncertain. The injury happened in the third quarter as he attempted a pass and awkwardly landed on his right leg.
While Prescott initially appeared to have hurt his throwing hand as well, it was ultimately his hamstring that caused him to leave the game.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones referred to the injury as a *”high hamstring”* strain, and despite Prescott’s hopes to return in time for next week’s game against the Eagles, reports from NFL Media suggest that he may be sidelined for a longer period.
“I mean, it’s hard for me to say. I would say that I’ll be out there next week,” Prescott said after the game, expressing optimism for a quick return.
“Once again, I’ve got to see. Luckily, I can say I’ve healed fast, I’ve progressed fast on injuries and things, so thankful for that. Got to get a picture of it. When we get a picture of it, I guess we’ll see how bad it is. It’ll take a lot for me to not be out there, I’ll say, personally.”
Prescott’s absence is significant, as he has been a key figure in the Cowboys’ offense this season, despite some inconsistency with 1,978 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. With the team currently on a three-game losing streak, the urgency to improve is even more critical, as playoff hopes continue to fade.
“Very difficult,” Prescott admitted, reflecting on his frustration from the sidelines. “I know how much we needed this one. I wanted to just get out there and compete, and to fight. It’s crazy.”
Cooper Rush to Take Over as Cowboys’ Starting Quarterback
As Prescott seeks a second opinion on his injury, the Cowboys will need to adjust quickly. Cooper Rush, who replaced Prescott during the game, is set to take over as the starting quarterback. Rush completed 13 of 25 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown in relief, but the Cowboys couldn’t overcome the Falcons, dropping to 3-5 on the season.
Now in his seventh season, Rush has limited experience but could provide stability for the offense. The Cowboys also have former first-round pick Trey Lance as an alternative, although he has only played in eight games since entering the NFL.
Dallas will host the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday, facing a challenging game without Prescott under center.
