The Dallas Cowboys were already having a rough night on Sonday, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losing 19-3. After the game was over, though, team owner Jerry Jones made an announcement about the health of quarterback Dak Prescott, who exited late in the fourth quarter with a hand injury. With that announcement, Dallas’ night went from bad to worse.
Minutes after the game, Jones said that Prescott will require surgery and will miss “several weeks.”
Jerry Jones: “It’s above the thumb, back behind the joint.” https://t.co/5KUlFRDw2K
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 12, 2022
There’s no way to spin this as good news for the Cowboys. The NFL world didn’t even try. Almost unanimously, this was seen as a crushing blow for Dallas.
Yikes https://t.co/yLQZ1A0UOv
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) September 12, 2022
Oh man. Massive blow for that entire offense obviously. https://t.co/GqeZ8CgY18
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) September 12, 2022
And the season is over. https://t.co/JvByFiSVMh
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 12, 2022
Congratulations to your 2022-2023 NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles https://t.co/9eQEMlFVqH
— Mike Piellucci (@mikelikessports) September 12, 2022
Dagger for the Cowboys https://t.co/EA6OMrRVr2
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 12, 2022
Wow man. Can't help but feel terrible for Dak. That's 2 out of the last 3 years dealing with a long-term injury. https://t.co/PBhEARft02
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) September 12, 2022
The Cowboys having the season from hell, and it's 60 minutes old. https://t.co/wMiTDn1Ak0
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) September 12, 2022
Prescott became Dallas’ starter in 2016. He’s been fairly durable, missing only 12 games in his career. In those 12 games without Prescott, though, the Cowboys have 5-7 record. That includes a 4-7 mark in 2020, when he played only five games. By contrast, Prescott is 53-32 in his career and aside from a 2-3 mark during his injury-shortened 2020 season, has never finished a year below .500.
It’s never good to lose in Week 1 — especially at home and by a wide margin. But remember, Week 1 of the 2021 season had a lot of results that appeared odd at the time and look even crazier in hindsight. In the era of the 17-game season, losing in Week 1 isn’t the end of the world. But losing the game and your starting quarterback? That may be another story.
The season may not be over for Dallas. But with a steady dose of Cooper Rush likely forthcoming, things could be looking a lot better.
[Jon Machota on Twitter]
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