A season that was already trending downward for the Cowboys got even bleaker Sunday.
As the team took on the Falcons in Week 9, quarterback Dak Prescott left the game in the second half with a hamstring injury, and he didn’t return to the contest. Dallas proceeded to fall to Atlanta, 27-21, as backup Cooper Rush took over for Prescott after his injury.
With the loss, the Cowboys’ record dropped to 3-5 in 2024. Now with concern for Prescott to go along with a losing record, the team’s playoff outlook is growing weaker as each week passes.
How long will Prescott be out? Here are the latest updates after team owner Jerry Jones commented on the quarterback’s status after Sunday’s loss.
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How long is Dak Prescott out?
There hasn’t yet been a timetable provided for Prescott’s return to action after his hamstring injury.
However, one negative sign for the quarterback’s health is that postgame, Prescott said he “felt something he never felt before” in his hamstring, adding that he’d be getting an MRI on Monday and he wasn’t sure if he’d miss any time or not.
Depending on the results of Prescott’s tests, Dallas could be forced to start Rush at quarterback next week in a matchup against the Eagles.
Further testing revealed that Prescott’s hamstring injury update is worse than initially expected. The Dallas quarterback is now expected to miss multiple weeks.
#Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury was worse than initially feared. He is expected to miss multiple weeks, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
In fact, this is not looking like a short-term injury. Cooper Rush is the team’s backup. pic.twitter.com/de1R3WSOxy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
During his weekly radio spot with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that Prescott is likely heading to IR.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said it’s likely that QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) will be moved to injured reserve
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 5, 2024
Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that no IR decision has been made, so it’s not yet guaranteed Prescott will miss at least four weeks.
105.3’s Jane Slater reported that Prescott’s injury is a partial avulsion of the hamstring tendon. His hamstring is partially torn off the bone and tends to take longer than four weeks to recover. According to Slater, the reason why Prescott isn’t headed to the IR is he is still seeking a second opinion on how to best proceed with the injury.
As the #Cowboys weigh in on Dak Prescott’s IR status, sources tell me the initial diagnosis is a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon which is partially torn off the bone. I’m told it typically takes more than a 4 week recovery. In some cases, they let it scar over, repair…
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 6, 2024
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Jerry Jones ‘concerned’ with Dak Prescott’s injury
When Jones was asked about his quarterback’s hamstring injury after the Cowboys’ loss to the Falcons, he said he was “concerned.” However, Jones added optimism that Dallas will be able to turn its recent woes around soon.
Jerry Jones was a little emotional in postgame. He said he had an emotional message to the team after a loss. He said right now it’s “bleak.”
But he also said he’s not dismayed. I asked him what gives him confidence. He said previous experience. pic.twitter.com/SmmOnHqHJb
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) November 3, 2024
Over the next five weeks of the NFL season, the Cowboys are scheduled to face the Eagles, Texans, Commanders, Giants and Bengals. If Prescott isn’t able to recover from his hamstring injury soon, there’s a strong chance that Dallas’ 2024 season ends without a playoff berth.
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