In a devastating blow to the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff aspirations, the team is set to place star quarterback Dak Prescott on injured reserve due to a partial avulsion of his hamstring suffered in last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The move, while not yet official, was confirmed by Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones during a radio interview on Friday.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, Jones stated, “I think it’s probably no way he can be back in the four-week timeframe, so we’ll put him over there and we’ll have that roster spot to use in terms of the next four weeks and go from there.” The grim outlook for Prescott’s return has left the Cowboys organization grappling with the possibility of being without their leader for an extended period.
A Season in Jeopardy
The loss of Prescott comes at a critical juncture for the Cowboys, who currently sit at a disappointing 3-5 record halfway through the season. The team’s playoff hopes were already dwindling, and the absence of their star signal-caller could prove to be the final nail in the coffin.
According to multiple sources, Prescott is expected to miss anywhere from six to eight weeks due to the severity of his hamstring injury. The quarterback has sought numerous medical opinions in an effort to determine the best course of action for his recovery.
“Obviously a tough, tough situation, losing him for that period time but we’re going to do what’s in the best interest of Dak and right now I don’t think anyone knows whether it’ll be four weeks, six weeks or the season.”
– Stephen Jones, Cowboys Executive Vice President
The Specter of Surgery
Complicating matters further is the looming question of whether Prescott will require surgery to fully address the hamstring issue. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones acknowledged that there is no clear answer at this stage, stating, “He’s got to have some weeks off of it before he can see if it really does require surgery and so he doesn’t want surgery. He wants to be on the field and going for it.”
If Prescott ultimately needs to go under the knife, it would almost certainly spell the end of his regular season. Such a scenario would leave the Cowboys with no choice but to rely on backup quarterback Cooper Rush to navigate the remainder of the schedule.
Rush Hour in Dallas
With Prescott sidelined, the Cowboys will turn to Cooper Rush as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Rush, who has been with the organization since 2017, has limited regular-season experience but did lead the team to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings last year when Prescott was out with a calf strain.
The Cowboys’ coaching staff and players have expressed confidence in Rush’s ability to step up and lead the offense. However, there is no denying the significant drop-off in talent and experience between Prescott and his backup.
“Cooper’s been here a long time. He knows this offense inside and out. We have a ton of confidence in what Coop can do if he has to be in there.”
– Kellen Moore, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator
An Uncertain Future
As the Cowboys brace for an extended period without their franchise quarterback, questions abound regarding the team’s short-term and long-term future. With Prescott’s injury casting a pall over the season, the organization must confront the possibility that their Super Bowl aspirations may have to be put on hold for another year.
For now, all eyes will be on Cooper Rush as he attempts to steady the ship and keep the Cowboys’ playoff hopes alive. The road ahead is undoubtedly daunting, but the team has no choice but to rally around their backup quarterback and fight for every win they can get.
As for Prescott, the focus shifts to his recovery and rehabilitation. The quarterback faces a lengthy and arduous process to get back to full strength, with no guarantees of a return this season. The Cowboys and their fans can only hope that their leader will be able to bounce back stronger than ever in 2025.
The Dallas Cowboys have weathered their share of storms over the years, but the loss of Dak Prescott to a significant hamstring injury may prove to be one of the most challenging obstacles they’ve faced in recent memory. With their season hanging in the balance, the team must dig deep and find a way to persevere in the face of adversity. Only time will tell if they are up to the task.
