The Houston Texans must focus their attention on facing the Detroit Lions this Sunday night at NRG Stadium, but a Lone Star Showdown lingers in the back of their minds.
Houston travels to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football on November 18. The Texans will be without star receiver Stefon Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 8.
As for Dallas? It seems like Dak Prescott won’t be suiting up, either. Here’s what happened and his current status entering Week 11’s showdown.
Dak Prescott injury update
According to NFL Network and ESPN, Prescott, who left with a hamstring injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss against the Atlanta Falcons, is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury.
Prescott told reporters postgame that he was unsure if he injured his hamstring while trying to run for the first down or when he was tackled and said he would “be out there next week” when Dallas took on NFC East rival Philadelphia.
“I saw the medical team and asked could I make it worse,” Prescott told reporters. “At that point they said I wouldn’t be able to protect myself and made the call to hold me out.”
#Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury was worse than initially feared. He is expected to miss multiple weeks, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
In fact, this is not looking like a short-term injury. Cooper Rush is the team’s backup. pic.twitter.com/de1R3WSOxy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
After undergoing an MRI on Monday, the results led to a less optimistic conclusion. If placed on the injured reserve, Prescott will miss a minimum of four games and won’t be eligible to return in Week 15.
The nine-year veteran went 18-of-24 for 133 yards with one touchdown before leaving the game. This season, Prescott has been inconsistent, but still a solid starter for the NFC East franchise despite its 3-5 record.
Dak Prescott stats
Through eight games, Prescott has completed 64.7% of his pass attempts for 1,978 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 54 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
This offseason, Prescott agreed to a four-year, $240 million contract hours before the season opener that made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
Cowboys QB depth chart
Cooper Rush is the projected starter in place of Prescott following Sunday’s game, but here’s Dallas’ quarterback depth chart.
- Cooper Rush
- Trey Lance
Rush, who’s started nine games since joining the roster in 2017, went 13-of-25 for 115 yards with a touchdown in relief. The veteran also played in two games this season in mop-up duty, throwing for 52 yards with an interception.
If Rush starts, this won’t be the first time he’s taken over for Dallas for a significant period. He went 4-1 in five starts for an injured Prescott in 2022, completing 57.7% of his throws for 1,020 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions.
#Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury was worse than initially feared. He is expected to miss multiple weeks, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
In fact, this is not looking like a short-term injury. Cooper Rush is the team’s backup. pic.twitter.com/de1R3WSOxy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
Lance, the former No. 3 overall pick out of North Dakota State in 2021, should take over as the secondary option behind Rush. The San Francisco 49ers traded Lance to the Cowboys ahead of the 2023 season for a 2024 fourth-round pick after moving forward with Brock Purdy as their starter.
He has been the third-string quarterback for the team since and has yet to appear in a game for Dallas in two years.
Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.