The injury-riddled Dallas Cowboys suffered another significant blow, as quarterback Dak Prescott is poised to miss some time.
The hamstring injury that Prescott sustained in Sunday’s 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons will keep him out of this weekend’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Mike McCarthy announced Monday.
Conversations about whether Prescott will need to go on injured reserve — which would cost him at least four games — will likely take place once the Cowboys receive more information, McCarthy said during a press conference.
“We’re obviously still evaluating,” McCarthy said.
Cooper Rush, who is 5-1 in his career as a starter, is set to start Sunday, with Trey Lance serving as the backup.
McCarthy’s comments came hours after ESPN and NFL Network reported Prescott was expected to miss multiple weeks.
An MRI revealed the injury to be worse than originally feared, according to NFL Network. Prescott is reportedly seeking a second opinion.
Prescott, 31, hurt his hamstring during a five-yard run late in the third quarter in Atlanta, then did not play in the fourth as the Cowboys fell to 3-5.
Afterward, Prescott described feeling something in his hamstring that he had “never felt” before.
“I felt it when I was getting up from the run,” Prescott said after the loss. “I can’t even say that I felt it running. Maybe something on the tackle. Yeah, I don’t know, but when I was standing up, I felt something actually. Didn’t think it was much. You get tackled. It’s a physical game. A lot of times you feel different things and they kind of go away.”
Prescott signed a four-year, $240 million contract — the biggest in NFL history — right before the start of the season.
The three-time Pro Bowler has completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions this year.
“Luckily, I can say I’ve healed fast,” Prescott said before undergoing the MRI. “I’ve progressed fast on injuries. … It will take a lot for me to not be out there.”
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb suffered a shoulder injury Sunday, but he returned to the game and caught a late 2-point conversion.
The Cowboys have also been without pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and Micah Parson (hamstring) since their Week 4 win against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Parsons appears to be nearing a return, however, with McCarthy saying Monday that the linebacker is set to practice Wednesday.
Ball-hawking cornerback DaRon Bland has not played this season due to a foot injury, a year after leading the NFL with nine interceptions en route to first-team All-Pro honors.
With Sunday’s loss, the Cowboys fell 3.5 games behind the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders and three games behind the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles for second place.
Dallas is set to play the last-place Giants (2-7) in less than four weeks on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium.
