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The Dallas Cowboys' season, which was expected to be successful and finally lead them to a National Football Conference championship game, has not been exactly what was expected even when Dak Prescott was healthy and the team's starting quarterback. Now, those dreams have gone up in smoke and their season is officially doomed to fail.
Dak Prescott's 2024 season is officially over, and the Cowboys are bracing for the months ahead without their star quarterback. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shared the news on 105.3 The Fan, confirming that Prescott will undergo surgery on his injured hamstring in New York on Wednesday, ending his season for good.
"He'll have it there in New York," Jones said. "He had a good visit last night and he wants to do that there, and he's got great medical doctors up there. His prognosis is wonderful; it just means we're not going to have him the rest of the year."
Prescott's hamstring injury, suffered in Week 9, was diagnosed as a partial tendon avulsion, where the hamstring pulls partly away from the bone. While rehab and rest could have kept him out for about six weeks, surgery ensures he'll be fully healthy by next season.
Cowboys face uncertain future
The three-month recovery timeline confirms Prescott won't be back in time for the Super Bowl, even if the Cowboys pull off an unlikely postseason run. Given the team's current 3-6 record, the Cowboys seem to be looking more toward next season with Prescott's long-term health in mind.
The Cowboys, who inked Prescott to a hefty four-year, $240 million extension in September, will now have to finish a challenging season without him. They've been plagued by injuries, with key players like Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and Brandin Cooks all sidelined at various points. Prescott's absence compounds the Cowboys' struggles, leaving them to navigate the remainder of the season with backup Cooper Rush at quarterback.
Though Rush had a rough outing against Philadelphia, Jones is standing by him. "Cooper has shown that he has the capability to compete and win in games," Jones noted, adding that his performance against the Eagles was "really an out-of-character game for him."
If Rush continues to struggle, the Cowboys might consider giving Trey Lance, the former No. 3 overall draft pick, a shot. Dallas traded for Lance in 2023, sending a fourth-round pick to the 49ers. While Lance has yet to prove himself as a starter, his appearance in relief on Sunday may signal a future role if Rush falters. With Lance set to become a free agent after this season, Dallas could use the remaining games to see if he's worth investing in for 2025.