Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will likely be headed to injured reserve, according to owner Jerry Jones.
“Well, it’s questionable, but it’s an extended period here,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. “I wouldn’t dare to predict when it might be, but it is likely that we will inform him and we will see how his rehabilitation goes.”
Prescott’s placement on IR would mean he would miss at least four games and not return until Week 14 at the earliest for the Cowboys’ Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The injury occurred late in the third quarter during the Cowboys’ 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Prescott said afterwards that he “didn’t think much” about the pull in his hamstring, despite it being difficult to walk at the time. He didn’t play again in the fourth quarter, giving way to backup Cooper Rush to finish the game.
On Monday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said only that Prescott was permanently out for their Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles as reports emerged that the quarterback would miss multiple weeks.
Through eight games this season, the 31-year-old Prescott has 1,978 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His completion percentage of 64.7 is his lowest since 2017, his second NFL season.
This will be the second time in three seasons that Rush will fill in for Prescott. When Prescott injured his thumb in the 2022 season opener, Rush led the Cowboys to a 4-1 record.
The Cowboys are currently 3-5 and in third place in the NFC East. Three of their next four opponents will be division rivals – Eagles, Washington Commanders and New York Giants – before reaching their bye. They are behind their starting quarterback and likely their top wide receiver, while CeeDee Lamb is dealing with a shoulder injury.
Despite these obstacles, Jones remains hopeful and aggressive, as evidenced by the Cowboys’ acquisition of wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday morning.
“We’re not selling. We’ll argue that case,” Jones said. “We don’t buy and sell.”
