Sources — Cowboys’ Prescott likely out 4+ weeks

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is dealing with a partial avulsion of his right hamstring, meaning part of the tendon has been pulled away from the bone, a source confirmed Wednesday.

Prescott has not yet been placed on injured reserve. If placed on IR, he would sit out at least four games, which would keep him out until at least Dec. 9 against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, should such a move be made this week. But two sources said Prescott would likely need a longer recovery period than four weeks.

NFL Network first reported the nature of Prescott’s injury.

Prescott was hurt following a 5-yard scramble late in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss at the Atlanta Falcons. On the next play, cameras caught him grimacing as he threw a faltering 10-yard pass to Jalen Brooks. After the match, he said he had never had that feeling before.

“I felt it when I got up from the run. I can’t even say I felt that run,” Prescott said. “The tackle, maybe something on the tackle. Yeah, I don’t know. But when I got up, I actually felt something. Didn’t think it was much. You get tired. It’s a physical game. A lot Sometimes you feel different things, and they just kind of disappear.”

Prescott had an MRI on Monday, and a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter at the time that the quarterback would be out for several weeks.

In 2022, Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith suffered a full avulsion of his hamstring in training camp that required surgery. He sat out the first 13 games of that season.

The Cowboys will start Cooper Rush at quarterback in Prescott’s absence. Rush is 5-1 as Prescott’s replacement, including a 4-1 stint in 2022 after Prescott suffered a broken right thumb in the season opener. Rush has nine touchdown throws, six interceptions and 1,786 passing yards in 30 appearances.

Trey Lance will serve as the backup.

“Cooper has been great in getting Dak ready to play, and now Dak will be a role reversal there,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “(Rush’s) temperament is excellent. I’d say he’s as level-headed as an individual, especially a quarterback, that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Cerebral. Smart. He gives you the flexibility to continue to play. I think that’s what you want in all your quarterbacks. You don’t want to get to a place where you have to change a lot of things offensively because who’s behind center.