ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott says he will have surgery on his right thumb on Monday after being injured in Sunday night’s 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to various sources, he will be out for 6-8 weeks and will most likely be placed on injured reserve.
Prescott was hurt in the fourth quarter when he collided with outside defender Shaq Barrett’s hand while attempting a pass. Prescott will see the Cowboys’ hand specialist on Monday, but numerous sources say he will have a pin and plate implanted into the joint to stabilize it.
Prescott initially assumed he had jammed a finger and didn’t think it was serious. He went to the locker room, however, for X-rays, which revealed a fracture.
Prescott said after the game, that his right hand splinted.”It’s a significant injury,” coach Mike McCarthy said.
“I was informed it was a lot cleaner than it might have been,” Prescott said after the game, his right hand splinted.”It’s a serious injury,” coach Mike McCarthy said.
For next week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cowboys will almost certainly turn to backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
“It’s pretty disheartening,” Prescott admitted. “However, injuries do occur. I can’t always manage it, but I’m going to miss some time and won’t be able to help my team. And that’s what stings the most, especially after the start that we simply walked out there, not knowing if we’d be able to respond and not having that opportunity for several weeks.”
Prescott, who is now 2-5 in career season openers, completed 14 of 29 passes for 134 yards, was intercepted once, and was sacked twice, as the Cowboys were held without a touchdown in a season-opening for the first time since 2001.
The Cowboys last scored fewer than six points in a season opener on Sept. 10, 1989, in a 28-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Jones’ first game as owner and general manager, as well as the debuts of Troy Aikman and Jimmy Johnson.
The setback ends an unusual week for Prescott, who was limited in practice last Thursday due to a sore ankle that he blamed on a new pair of cleats. Prescott insisted that he was good and that it will not be a concern against the Buccaneers after completing complete practices on Friday and Saturday.
Prescott suffered a complex fracture and dislocation of his right ankle against the New York Giants in the fifth game of the 2020 season. Last season, he returned to start 16 games and established a Cowboys single-season record with 37 touchdown passes. With a calf issue, he missed one start.
After the opening drive, CeeDee Lamb caught one pass but only one more from Prescott the rest of the way.
Prescott’s 134 yards were the second-fewest in his career in a game he started and finished. On Nov. 30, 2017, he recorded 102 yards on 11-of-22 throwing against Washington.
Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million contract with the Cowboys in 2021.
“Obviously, this isn’t what you want to hear, but it’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” Prescott explained. “Yes, it’s just another hiccup in the path, and I’ll keep going. As I have stated, I will do all in my power to get myself back on track so that I can help this team.”