The Dallas Cowboys will be without their franchise quarterback for quite some time, as quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to have surgery Monday on his right thumb after he was injured in the season-opening 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Prescott was injured during the fourth quarter when he hit the hand of Bucs’ outside linebacker Shaq Barrett while throwing a pass.
Prescott will meet with the Cowboys’ hand specialist Monday and will have a pin and plate inserted into the area to stabilize the joint.
“I was told it was much cleaner than it could have been,” Prescott said of the injury.
“It’s very disappointing, but injuries happen, can’t necessarily control it, just unfortunate,” Prescott continued. “Obviously going to miss some time, not be there for my team and that’s what hurts more than anything, especially after the start we just put out there. Wanted to be able to respond, and not necessarily having that opportunity for several weeks, yeah it’s unfortunate. But I’ll do what I’ve always done anytime adversity comes, take it on head-first and give my best and I’m sure I’ll come out of this thing better.”
“It’s a significant injury,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said.
“Obviously it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s not the worst thing that’s happened to me,” Prescott said. “Yeah, it’s just another bump in the road and I’ll keep moving forward. As I said I’ll do everything that I can that I can control to get myself back to get myself better and help this team.”
With Prescott sidelined, the Cowboys will turn to Cooper Rush as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals next week, with Will Grier serving as his backup.
Prescott went 14-of-29 for 134 yards and an interception.
