The Dallas Cowboys’ offense didn’t look good at all in the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. QB Dak Prescott had absolutely no rhythm with WR CeeDee Lamb or any of the unproven receivers behind him on the depth chart. For anyone wondering if things could get worse, they could. Late in the fourth quarter, Prescott hit hands with a Tampa Bay Bucs defender, and then his hand crashed down on the helmet.
Prescott came to the sideline and appeared (by lip reading) to say “broke” or “broken”. Whether that’s the case or not, owner Jerry Jones confirmed following the game that Prescott will require surgery and will be out several weeks.
Jerry Jones tells us Dak Prescott out a few weeks. Injury above joint of his throwing hand. Above the thumb, behind the joint #cowboys pic.twitter.com/9FutH8QSrd
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) September 12, 2022
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on QB Dak Prescott: “It’s a significant hand injury. We’ll know more in the morning.” Surgery required. “It’s on his hand in the thumb area. It’s a significant injury.” Prescott has not seen doctor yet, McCarthy added, so limited information. pic.twitter.com/OqcMm44E0U
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 12, 2022
The Cowboys could only muster a score on their opening drive, failing to get into the end zone. The rest of the night was a serious struggle as they could only muster 198 air yards and just 71 on the ground.
The Cowboys chose to go with a ton of inexperience at the position after trading Amari Cooper in the offseason and seeing Cedrick Wilson and Malik Turner go in free agency. Dallas drafted Jalen Tolbert of South Alabama in the third round, but he was made inactive for the game.
Now, that inexperienced group will try to find a rhythm with Cooper Rush.
Rush came in for Prescott in his lone career start last year in Minnesota, leading the club to a victory. The targets he’ll now throw to are much different now.
Will Grier, who is also on the practice squad with Rush (who was an elevation for this game) will be the new backup.
Prescott had played in 69 straight games before his horrific 2020 ankle injury just five games into that season. He had a shoulder injury last training camp that kept him out the preseason and then a calf injury in a Week 6 win over New England led to his lone missed start last year.
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