Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is seeking a second opinion on his torn hamstring, hoping to avoid season-ending surgery, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. Prescott plans to see a specialist on Monday, as a decision about surgery has not yet been made.
Prescott was injured during last week’s 27-21 loss to Atlanta. If surgery is needed, it would be the second serious injury in five years for the 31-year-old quarterback.
Cooper Rush will start in place of Prescott on Sunday against NFC East rival Philadelphia (6-2).
The Cowboys (3-5), who are on a three-game losing streak, now face the possibility of missing the playoffs. Prescott is expected to be out for at least a month.
Prescott missed the final 11 games of the 2020 season due to a broken ankle, which was the last time Dallas missed the playoffs. He stayed in the game after injuring his hamstring last weekend but did not play in the fourth quarter.
Just before the season opener, Prescott signed a contract that made him the first player to earn an average of $60 million per year. His $240 million, four-year deal starts next season.
Even with a healthy Prescott, the Cowboys struggled on offense. Rush, who will start in Prescott’s place, will not have the same supporting cast he had two years ago when he filled in and went 4-1 while Prescott was out with a thumb injury.
Dallas’ offensive line has been inconsistent, and the Cowboys have the second-worst rushing offense in the NFL.
This will be Rush’s seventh career start. The 30-year-old, who went undrafted and is in his eighth season out of Western Michigan, also won a game in 2021 when Prescott had a calf injury.
“You play a ton of ball in college, it’s stuff you’ve been doing your whole life,” Rush said. “Trust who you are, and the system is the system. You do what you’re supposed to do. You do what you’re coached to do.”
While Prescott is out, star pass rusher Micah Parsons is expected to return against the Eagles after missing four games with a high ankle sprain.
