The initial reports over Dak Prescott’s injury were grim. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback hit his hand on a defender twice in the same series, three times if one includes the helmet hit that occurred immediately after smashing his throwing hand against defender Shaq Barrett’s big paw. The frustration was visible on Mike McCarthy’s face when informed by trainer Britt Brown the severity of the injury after Prescott disappeared into the tunnel for X-rays.
On Monday, the quarterback underwent surgery to repair the damage above his thumb and on Tuesday, a report has emerged that the original timetable for his return might be on the longer side. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that 6-8 weeks out is a bit long, and Prescott could be back in as little as four weeks. Should the report be believed?
#Cowboys QB Dak Prescott could return in 4 to 6 weeks following surgery Monday to repair his right thumb, per sources.
The timeline will depend on how the bone heals and when Dak resumes throwing. But the surgery was clean, doctors are optimistic and Prescott is a fast healer. pic.twitter.com/h3rtN87BLc
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 13, 2022
There’s a reason to be skeptical of the report. Pelissero’s side is to be believed, no one will or should question that he’s been told by his sources that surgery was successful or that a four-week return is possible. The skepticism stems from whether or not that source is being truthful or if they are trying to convince the fanbase to not abandon ship on supporting the Cowboys.
Because that too is of interest of people who are related to the team, which could be (not has to be, could be) the source of Pelissero’s information.
On his weekly radio show, owner Jerry Jones stated Prescott wouldn’t go on IR.
Jerry Jones to @1053thefan on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: "I think what we’re going to do here is we won’t be putting him on IR, which means we want him to be consideration for playing within the next 4 games. We will NOT put him on IR."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) September 13, 2022
Talk swirls (unrealistically per me) about the Cowboys acquiring a starting-caliber quarterback to hold the fort down while Prescott is out. If Prescott could return in just four weeks, it certainly provides Dallas cover; there’s no reason to make a trade and give up draft (or talent) capital and the super-valued cap space for a one-month stop gap.
If the club can escape the offensive malaise it was mired in on Sunday night and it was more about a lack of offseason work than a breakdown of the system, then two of the next four games feel winnable. Whether they do or not is highly debatable, but that’s the conversation which could be had.
In addition, the Jones front office has spoken a myriad of times about the power of positive thinking and how they’ll always err on the side of optimism.
So selling hope, which is perennially part of the Cowboys’ expansive marketing strategy, could be part of the mix with this recent report.
It doesn’t have to be, but fans should approach any news emanating from the front office with a level of scrutiny, because they’ve shown time and again to be those guys.
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