Dak Prescott Hopes to Avoid Surgery and Return This Season, Says Jerry Jones

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is determined to avoid surgery after sustaining a hamstring injury, according to team owner Jerry Jones. Prescott suffered a partial tear of his hamstring in last week's 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, raising concerns about his availability for the rest of the season.

Speaking on his radio show, Jones explained that Prescott's injury involved a partial avulsion of the hamstring tendon, where it partially detaches from the bone. While a complete tear would necessitate surgery, Jones mentioned that the decision will take a few weeks to determine based on Prescott's recovery progress.

“He's got to have some weeks off of it before he can see if it really does require surgery,” Jones said. “He doesn't want surgery. He wants to be on the field and go for it. He's weighing that. We're weighing that.”

In light of Prescott's injury, backup quarterback Cooper Rush is set to start against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. The Cowboys, standing at 3-5, will face a crucial game against the 6-2 Eagles as they strive to stay in playoff contention after finishing the last three seasons with a 12-5 record.

The Cowboys have decided not to place Prescott on injured reserve at this time, indicating optimism about his potential return without needing to free up a roster spot. An IR move would sideline Prescott for at least four games. Jones stated, "We may not need the spot on the 53-man active roster right now."

Cooper Rush, who led the team with a 4-1 record during Prescott's thumb injury recovery two years ago, will take the helm once more. Rush has previously demonstrated reliability as a starter, also securing a victory in 2021 when Prescott dealt with a calf strain.

Adding to the quarterback depth is Trey Lance, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers last year. Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been positioned as the third-string quarterback since joining the Cowboys. Head coach Mike McCarthy has predominantly relied on Rush as Prescott's backup but has used the preseason to assess Lance, whose rookie contract is nearing its end.

Jones hinted at potential game packages featuring Lance, highlighting his mobility as a unique asset. “Oh, there is a window for Trey Lance,” Jones said. “There's packages that we can work on. Let me be clear, that's not just to get Lance some play time. That's to bring to the table some offense for us.”

The Cowboys' offense has struggled this season, ranking near the bottom in rushing performance despite Prescott's presence. The team will look to find a solution as they prepare to face division rivals with their playoff hopes on the line.