Reports indicate that Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Prescott is planning to undergo surgery to address a partially torn hamstring, with the team and Prescott awaiting a final opinion from a specialist.
The injury occurred during the Cowboys’ Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, where Prescott described the pain as something he had never experienced before. Following an MRI, it was revealed that he suffered a partial avulsion of his right hamstring, meaning part of the tendon pulled away from the bone.
The proposed surgical procedure would likely require a four-month recovery period. If completed promptly, it would result in Prescott being sidelined for the rest of the season. Notably, despite the severity of the injury, the Cowboys have not yet placed him on injured reserve, suggesting that the team is still evaluating options. If they do decide to move him to injured reserve next week, he could potentially return for a game against the Panthers on December 15, although this would only be feasible if he does not undergo surgery.
Prescott has had a challenging season, having posted career lows in passer rating and yards per completion. Through eight games, he accumulated 1,978 passing yards with a completion rate of 64.7%, alongside 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
With Prescott absent, Cooper Rush is poised to step in as the team’s starter, drawing on his experience from previous seasons, including a stretch in 2022 where he performed admirably in Prescott’s absence. The Cowboys also have Trey Lance as their third-string quarterback, although he has yet to make his Cowboys debut.
While this news is difficult for Cowboys fans, it presents an opportunity for the team to build depth and resilience as they look toward the future. The transition to a new starting quarterback might foster fresh energy within the team, and the focus can now shift towards supporting Rush during this season.
In summary, Dak Prescott’s anticipated surgery underscores the unpredictable nature of sports, reminding fans of the importance of player health and depth within the team as they navigate through the rest of the season.