Report: Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott expected to miss 6-8 weeks with thumb injury

When the Washington Commanders travel to Jerry World in Week 4 to face Dallas, it’s unlikely that Dak Prescott will be under center for the Cowboys.

Prescott injured the thumb on his throwing hand in Dallas’ loss to the Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football.” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters after the game that Prescott “will be out a while” after he jammed his right thumb on the hand of Tampa Bay linebacker Shaq Barrett. 

According to a report from ESPN’s Todd Archer on Monday morning, Prescott will likely need surgery to repair the fractured thumb, and the 29-year-old signal caller will be out for six-to-eight weeks. 

“It’s a significant injury,” coach Mike McCarthy told reporters after the 19-3 loss.

ESPN also reported that Prescott is meeting with the Cowboys’ hand specialist on Monday, and the expected surgery will involve inserting a pin and plate into his hand to stabilize his joint. The X-ray after the game showed a fracture.

“I was told it was much cleaner than it could have been,” Prescott told reporters.

Backup Cooper Rush is expected to take over in Prescott’s absence, with Will Grier stepping up to be the team’s No. 2 quarterback. Rush has one career start (a win last season over Minnesota in which he threw for 325 yards and two scores) and just 63 pass attempts in his five-year NFL career. 

On top of Prescott’s injury, the Cowboys’ season-opening loss was one of the worst in franchise history. The team was held without a touchdown in the opener for the first time since 2001. Three points is the fewest the team has scored in an opener since 1989. 

The Cowboys will play Cincinnati in Week 2 and the Giants in Week 3 before hosting the Commanders on Oct. 2.