The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be without quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) for multiple weeks and the injury is worse than expected, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Prescott was injured during a scramble in the third quarter of the team’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
While the Cowboys’ struggles have been well-documented, Prescott was playing well before the injury occurred. Before exiting the game, Prescott completed 18 of his 24 passes for 133 yards and a TD while rushing for a season-high 30 yards.
Overall, Prescott has been solid with a 64.7 completion percentage, 1,978 yards and 11 TDs. While he has been intercepted eight times, his O-line has failed to protect him consistently, allowing 21 sacks.
One major area of concern for the Cowboys is their lack of a run game. Dallas’ top two ball carriers Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott have 470 total rushing yards while the team only has three combined rushing TDs all season. To put that into perspective, Ravens running back Derrick Henry has 1,052 yards rushing by himself while the Washington Commanders have 15 rushing TDs as a team.
Another issue for the Cowboys has been injuries to star players. Along with Prescott and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who is sidelined on IR with a foot injury, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is banged up. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lamb has a sprained AC joint, but the injury is not considered serious.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, star linebacker Micah Parsons could be returning from his high ankle sprain, according to Schefter.
Cooper Rush, who took over after Prescott’s injury, would presumably get the start for the Cowboys with former first-rounder Trey Lance likely serving as Rush’s backup. Rush made five starts in 2022 when Prescott suffered a thumb injury. Dallas went 4-1 with Rush under center.
The hamstring injury is another on a long list of injuries for the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. In addition to the thumb injury from 2022, Prescott missed 11 games in 2020 due to a dislocation and fracture of his right ankle and another game in 2021 because of a right calf strain.
With their schedule not getting any easier and a frustrating 3-5 start to the season, the chances of a turnaround are looking bleak for the Cowboys.
