The Dallas Cowboys are bracing themselves for a dramatic adjustment in their seasonal plans. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan in an interview that Dak Prescott may be headed to injured reserve with a hamstring injury. That would put the star quarterback out for at least four games, just when the Cowboys are pushing through an essential part of the season.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told @1053thefan said that QB Dak Prescott is likely to be placed on injured reserve due to his hamstring injury, which would sideline him a minimum of four games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2024
Prescott’s Hamstring Injury: What It Means for Dallas
From what initially appeared to be just a slight hamstring injury with Prescott, it now looks like it will be several more weeks of rehab. Jones provided an update and took that to mean the Cowboys won’t see their offensive leader, at the very least, until Week 14. With hamstring injuries, sometimes recovery has to be very, very slow and cautious to prevent secondary complications; hence, the team needs to make preparations for several weeks without its franchise quarterback.
The Backup Quarterbacks: Cooper Rush and Trey Lance Take Center Stage
With Prescott on the sideline, the Cowboys will have to look in the direction of the backup quarterbacks, which include Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. With Cooper Rush stepping in for Prescott in prior seasons and proving to be steady under pressure, he, too, may be a likely candidate for the starting role. Familiarity with the team’s offensive scheme definitely makes him one that can be trusted.
Beyond that, the Cowboys have Trey Lance, a former first-round pick, who brings other dynamics. Lance, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers, has the higher upside as a playmaker but less experience in Dallas’s system. Both Rush and Lance bring their special skills to the table; because of that, Dallas can choose to operate several different offensive game plans, depending on the situation and opponent.
A Last-Minute Trade Option
The Cowboys could still make a move for added quarterback depth or any other type of support on offense, given today’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline still to come. While the options of Cooper Rush and Trey Lance are in place, Dallas might look for more of a veteran signal-caller to stabilize the position during Prescott’s absence.
It may also be the addition of grizzled veterans on inexpensive, short-term deals or backups with starting experience. Such an acquisition would help the Cowboys over this period without feeling the need to immediately call on Rush or Lance to perform in crunch time. Both Jones and the front office will have to balance out any possible gain with the possible cost of giving up future draft capital.
Road Ahead for Jerry Jones and Dallas
That couldn’t be a worse time for the Cowboys, who are trying to position themselves in the playoffs of the highly competitive NFC. Divisional and NFC matchups present most of the upcoming schedule for Dallas, which further ratchets up the degree of difficulty with this matter at hand for the team. Heavily, this team will rely on their defense, running game, and the play-calling approach to control the clock and manage each game appropriately without Prescott.
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys make their way through the next few weeks without Prescott, the team will have to lean on grit, creativity, and great performances from top to bottom if they want to remain competitive. While the Cowboys could try to trade for additional help, it would be the decision to start Rush or Lance that would set the tone eventually in this stretch. The fans in Dallas and any person with the organization would think of Prescott recovering fully so that he may rejoin for a late-season playoff push.
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