NFL
Why isn’t Dak Prescott playing against the Commanders in week 12?
The quarterback is one of three starting players who will miss the Cowboys' sixth road trip of the campaign.
The 2024/25 Dallas Cowboys’ season has not been one to remember but after Week 9, things got even worse.
During their 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback Dak Prescott was forced out of the game in the 4th quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return.
And the most feared option turned out to be the only option: surgery. He will now be out for a number of months, sending an already spiralling Cowboys season into new realms of darkness.
Before leaving the game, Prescott completed 18 of 24 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown and had no interceptions. He also had more rushing yards than he’s had all season combined (33).
Prescott underwent surgery alongside family
The Cowboys sent Prescott for surgery rather than face potential complications by letting his partially torn hamstring to heal naturally according to ESPN.
Prescott and the Cowboys initially held off until specialist opinions came in, but it soon became clear that going under the knife was the only way.
"The most important thing he needs to do right now is focus on the surgery, rehab and going through that process. Regardless of what it’s for, it’s always tough on the individual, so he just needs to focus on himself right now.“, coach McCarthy told reporters after the Cowboys lost to the Eagles in their first game without their QB.
With Prescott out, backup quarterback Cooper Rush started in his place.
Rush had won five of his six starts when replacing Prescott and filled in for him after the injury in the fourth quarter, completing 13 of 25 passes for 115 yards and a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, plus a two-point conversion pass to WR CeeDee Lamb.
He has 566 passing yards in his last 5 games with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Markquese Bell, Jake Ferguson, Zack Martin, Tyler Smith, Nick Vigil and CeeDee Lamb all sat out practice last week. Joining them on the injury list are Trevon Diggs, Brandin Cooks and DeMarcus Lawrence.
The NFL regular season game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders will be played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland on Sunday November 24, with kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT.