The reigning NFC East champions have gotten onto the worst possible start for their new campaign as they do not have the services of their marquee – Dak Prescott for the next foreseeable future. The dynamic QB suffered a thump injury in his team’s inaugural showdown against Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now with Los Angeles Rams scheduled to host Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, there have been rumors of the 29-year-old returning on time. However, fans would be aware that just like this year, Russell Wilson too suffered a thumb injury last season against Rams and missed three games plus a bye week. By no means was Wilson the same prolific player as he is regarded to be for at least a month. This could be the same trajectory of Dak Prescott as well.
Nick Wright stated on First things First, “I flatly don’t believe this. I think this is trying to win a news cycle. In order for this to be the right call, Dak Prescott needs to play by October 9th – against the LA Rams, that is 27 days away. He just had surgery on his throwing hand.”
Will Dak Prescott’s absence haunt Dallas Cowboys in the 2022-23 season?
Given that the Cowboys are already without their starting left tackle – Tyron Smith and they evidently lack depth at wide receiver after Amari Cooper’s departure in the current season, Dak Prescott’s absence could very well end their hopes of retaining their title by all means in the respective division.
Wright added, “I understand that we sometimes undervalue the importance of every single one of these 53 guys on your active roster – but you guys’ stress about who’s gonna be up for gameday, who’s gonna be not. And now I think purely so – that shows like this and others keep the Cowboys in the conversation.”
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Prescott’s timetable for return is expected to be around 6 to 8 weeks and no time less. Given the impact Dak Prescott endured after rusher Shaquil Barrett slapped his hand during a follow through on a throw in the fourth quarter, it does seem like Prescott should not be rushed. That being said, Cowboys’ marquee will undergo surgery to fix a joint above his thumb and will be replaced by Cooper Rush.
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