The Dallas Cowboys are facing significant uncertainty at the quarterback position for at least the next month as they navigate the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. This comes after executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that quarterback Dak Prescott will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four games due to a hamstring injury.
Jones discussed the situation during an interview with 105.3 The Fan on Friday, providing insight into Prescott’s potential timeline for recovery.
Prescott’s injury is a major setback for the Cowboys, who have been struggling to find consistency in recent weeks.
Jones made it clear that the organization is prepared for the possibility that Prescott’s absence could extend beyond the four-week minimum required by the injured reserve designation, possibly even for the remainder of the season.
“It’s probably no way he can be back in the four-week time frame, so we’ll put him [on injured reserve] and we’ll have that roster spot to use in terms of the next four weeks and go from there,” Jones explained. “Obviously, it’s a tough situation, losing him for that period of 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 rest of the season. We’ll just have to continue to monitor that and see where it takes us.”
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Prescott has been the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ offense, but his play this season has had its ups and downs. In eight games, Prescott threw for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, earning an 86.0 passer rating, which ranks 24th in the NFL.
The Cowboys have been on a rough patch recently, suffering three consecutive losses over the past month, including a blowout defeat to the Detroit Lions and two narrow losses against the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.
With Prescott sidelined, the Cowboys will turn to backup quarterback Cooper Rush to step in and lead the team. Rush has proven himself to be a capable backup in the past, and the team will need him to rise to the occasion if they hope to stay in the playoff race.
Owner Jerry Jones also mentioned that the Cowboys are considering incorporating third-string quarterback Trey Lance into the game plan. Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was acquired by Dallas via trade in August 2023.
His skill set and potential could provide a different dynamic to the offense, although how much playing time he will receive remains to be seen.
Prescott’s absence will undoubtedly put pressure on the rest of the team, and the Cowboys’ coaching staff will need to make adjustments to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The timing of Prescott’s injury couldn’t be worse, as the Cowboys are set to face a tough schedule in the coming weeks, including an NFC East divisional showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. The matchup against the Eagles is scheduled for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium, and it will be crucial for the Cowboys to perform well in order to keep their division title hopes alive.
Prescott’s injury comes on the heels of signing a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract extension in September, which will keep him with the Cowboys through the 2028 season.
The extension underscored the team’s commitment to Prescott as their franchise quarterback, but this latest setback raises questions about his durability and the challenges the Cowboys face in protecting their investment.
While the Cowboys’ immediate future looks uncertain, the organization is hopeful that Prescott can make a full recovery and return to lead the team later in the season. In the meantime, the focus will be on rallying around Cooper Rush and Trey Lance to keep the Cowboys’ playoff aspirations alive.
The team and its fans will be eagerly watching to see how the next few weeks unfold, with the hope that they can weather this storm and remain competitive in the NFC.
As the Cowboys prepare for their matchup against the Eagles, all eyes will be on Cooper Rush as he steps into the starting role, and on Trey Lance, who may have the opportunity to prove himself as a viable option.
The Cowboys’ season hangs in the balance, but with determination and resilience, they hope to overcome the adversity and stay in the hunt for postseason success.
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