Rather than face potential complications by letting Dak Prescott’s partially torn hamstring to heal without surgery, the Dallas Cowboys have decided the star quarterback will have a season-ending procedure, ESPN reported on Saturday.
Per the report, Prescott and the Cowboys are holding off until one more specialist offers an opinion on whether he should undergo surgery. The veteran signal-caller is expected to meet with the specialist early next week in New York. Dallas’ medical staff are on board with the surgery, which would keep him off the field for four months.
If the specialist agrees with the Cowboys’ assessment, Prescott will go under the knife on Wednesday, per the report.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday that Prescott would prefer to let the hamstring heal on its own have undergoing multiple surgeries (left shoulder, right thumb, right ankle) over the last few years.
Prescott has not been placed on injured reserve, but he will be inactive Sunday when the Cowboys (3-5) try to snap a three-game losing streak against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) because of a partial avulsion of his hamstring. ESPN reported that even without surgery, Prescott will need six to eight weeks to recover.
Prescott, 31, got hurt while scrambling during the third quarter of Dallas’ 27-21 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Cooper Rush took over at quarterback, and he will be the starter during Prescott’s absence, backed up by Trey Lance.
Players are required to miss at least the next four games when placed on injured reserve. After hosting the Eagles on Sunday and the Houston Texans on Monday, Nov. 18, Dallas plays games at the Washington Commanders on Nov. 24 and at home against the New York Giants on Thursday, Nov. 28.
Prescott, had he been placed on IR by Saturday, would have been eligible to be added back to the active roster for the home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Dec. 9.
The Cowboys did make moves on Saturday, elevating cornerback Josh Butler and wide receiver Jalen Cropper from the practice squad to the active roster.
Prescott owns the NFL’s richest contract, with a guarantee of $230 million in a deal that runs through 2030. In nine years as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, he has a 76-46 regular-season record but a 2-5 postseason record, having never guided Dallas to a conference final.
This season, Prescott has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,978 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions.
For his career, the three-time Pro Bowl performer has a 66.8 percent completion rate for 31,437 yards and 213 TD passes with 82 interceptions.
