Jerry Jones gives depressing update on Dak Prescott’s injury: How long he’ll be out

Jerry Jones says the Dallas Cowboys will be without Dak Prescott for quite some time.

After his team’s dismal performance on Sunday Night Football in Week 1, Jerry Jones had some bad news to deliver about Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott.

Jones told the local media that Prescott will have surgery on his right thumb Monday and will be out six to eight weeks for the Cowboys. Prescott initially hurt his thumb in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ 19-3 home defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when his hand hit Shaq Barrett while throwing a pass. Cooper Rush came in relief of Prescott, but it was too little, too late for Dallas.

The earliest Prescott could possibly return would be in Week 6 vs. the Detroit Lions on Oct. 23.

How long will Dak Prescott be out?

With Prescott out for the next six to eight weeks, he will miss the following five games for the Cowboys: vs. the Cincinnati Bengals (Sept. 18), at the New York Giants (Sept. 26), vs. the Washington Commanders (Oct. 2), at the Los Angeles Rams (Oct. 9), at the Philadelphia Eagles (Oct. 16) and vs. the Lions (Oct. 23). He may also miss the  game vs. the Chicago Bears (Oct. 30).

If there is any good news from this injury, it is that the Cowboys have their bye in Week 9 before the road date at the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 13. Thus, we are looking at Prescott missing somewhere around the next five to seven games for the Cowboys. Although Dallas does play in a very winnable division, they face three playoff teams from a season ago in their next six games.

Ultimately, it may not be in the cards for the Cowboys to repeat in the NFC East. Then again, it has become quite rare to do so in the division for the better part of two decades. The last repeat winner was the Eagles, who went back-to-back in 2003 to 2004 with Andy Reid as their head coach and Donovan McNabb as their starting quarterback. That feels like more than a lifetime ago.

Look for Dallas to trade for a quarterback or sign one with Prescott out for the next month or so.