The Dallas Cowboys were without Dak Prescott on Sunday in their 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Prescott’s absence highlighted a rough outing for Dallas, whose record fell to 3-6, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Prescott, now officially on injured reserve with a torn hamstring, shared details on his recovery after the game, revealing his next steps and the timeline for his return.
Following the loss, Prescott addressed the locker room and disclosed he would be consulting a specialist in New York on Monday. The visit will determine if surgery is necessary. If doctors opt for surgery, Prescott faces an estimated three-month recovery, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. However, if surgery is unnecessary, he could resume football activities within six to eight weeks. This slim hope, while unlikely to affect this season, could allow Prescott to return sooner than expected. As reported by Todd Archer of ESPN, Prescott said, “If surgery is recommended, I’ll have it this week and face a three-month recovery; without surgery, it’s six to eight weeks at minimum.”
Regardless, Prescott’s return this season appears doubtful. The Cowboys’ next three games will unfold without him, a factor that could affect Dallas’ appeal in primetime scheduling, except for their Thanksgiving Day game. Meanwhile, backup Cooper Rush, who started in Prescott’s place, failed to provide much impact against Philadelphia, completing passes without major errors but missing several crucial throws. As the game progressed, the Cowboys tried turning to Trey Lance, but neither quarterback managed to shift the game’s outcome.
The loss left Cowboys owner Jerry Jones contemplating the team’s future. While many fans call for change, Jones confirmed he has no plans for midseason coaching adjustments, indicating that head coach Mike McCarthy will likely see the season through. “He’s integral to our future,” Jones stated about McCarthy’s role in navigating the team through these challenging weeks.
The Cowboys have limited options moving forward, as the trade deadline has passed and financial flexibility is tight. Their current state underscores missed opportunities in the offseason, leaving Rush or Lance to guide the team for the foreseeable future. As Dallas moves forward, fans are left hoping for a turnaround amid the setbacks that have defined this season.
