Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week.
At least initially, it was excpected that Prescott would miss a month of action. That’s not good news due to Dallas’ start as a 3-5 team and with three consecutive losses heading into Sunday’s matchup with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas did not get good news after Prescott underwent a battery of tests. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported on Wednesday that Prescott’s hamstring tendon partially tore off the bone. That’s obviously not indicative of a four-week recovery time.
Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters that his high-priced quarterback is likely headed for injured reserve. This means he’ll miss at least four weeks. The expectation is that it will be longer. Perhaps, the remainder of the season.
Fresh off signing a record four-year, $240 million contract, Prescott has not performed up to expectations this season. He’s thrown 11 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions for a Cowboys squad that has not met expectations.
Even then, he’s obviously the best option in a Dallas quarterback room that includes veteran Cooper Rush and youngster Trey Lance.
At least initially, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Rush will get the start Week 10 against Philadelphia.
“I don’t want to throw it all to the side, he takes all the ‘look team’ reps.’ I’m high on Trey Lance, there’s a lot there to work with, and I do enjoy working with him. Very fond of him, I love his approach and he’s just young and needs an opportunity to play,” McCarthy said. “But it’s in-season, we’re competing to win games, and Cooper Rush is up next.”
At 3-5 and pretty much going nowhere fast, there is every reason to believe that Lance should get first-team reps over Rush moving forward. Here are some reasons why.
Dallas Cowboys’ Schedule Is Duanting Minus Dak Prescott
Dallas currently finds itself three games behind the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders. It is also two games behind the Eagles heading into Sunday’s home date with Philadelphia. It’s already unlikely that the Cowboys are going to get into the division race.
Right now, it’s all about battling for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, the task at hand is going to be a difficult one.
After hosting the Eagles (6-2), Dallas must contend with the Houston Texans (6-3), aforementioned Commanders (twice), what has been an improved 4-5 Bengals team and another outing against Philadelphia.
Sure, matchups against the New York Giants (2-7) and Carolina Panthers (2-7) are certainly winnable. But expecting the Cowboys to to have success against the onslaught of likely playoff teams without Prescott is asking way too much.
Owner Jerry Jones is not one to throw in the towel on the season. With that said, an ugly loss to Philadelphia in front of the home crowd could very well force Jones to do this. The last time Dallas played at home, it resulted in an humiliating 47-9 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions back in Week 6.
Trey Lance Provides More Upside In Multiple Ways
Trey Lance boasts way more upside than Cooper Rush for the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty … [+]
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Lance, 24, was originally the No. 3 overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft. It did not pan out for the North Dakota State product in Northern California.
The youngster started four games in two seasons with San Francisco. Lance entered his sophomore campaign as the 49ers’ unquestioned starter. Ultimately, he suffered an ugly season-ending ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Brock Purdy would eventually take over. The rest was history from there.
San Francisco dealt Lance to Dallas in a surprising trade between two bitter rivals ahead of the 2023 season. He didn’t get a snap in during his first season with Dallas, continuing to be unable to prove what his value is on a football field.
Lance’s dual-threat ability was on display in college and during his short stint with the 49ers. It’s a new element that the Cowboys would very much like to add to their offense.
“There are things we can do with him that I think can add punch to the offense,” Jerry Jones said this week.
As for Rush, he signed as an undrafted free agent with Dallas out of Central Michigan back in 2017. The 30-year-old signal caller has started six games throughout his career, throwing nine touchdowns compared to six interceptions.
Unlike Lance, the Cowboys know what they are going to get from Rush. Game manager performances and that ilk. It’s the comfort factor that likely has Rush getting the first start in Prescott’s stead.
But the upside is just not there. To McCarthy’s previous point, it’s about contending short-term. An argument can be made that Lance gives the Cowboys a better opportunity in that regard due to both his upside and the unknown factor embedded within his game.
The Cowboys Have Invested In Trey Lance
Dallas might have only exhausted a fourth-round pick on Lance. But he’s also counting $5.3 million against the cap as the third-string quarterback. Make it make sense.
Sure, Lance is an impending free agent. Should he show out in his time on the field, better opportunities might present themselves on the open market next March. That’s especially true with Dallas locked into Prescott at $240 million over the next four seasons.
The idea here is to give this youngster a chance. He has yet to play a snap. That’s not a great return on investment.
The Mike McCarthy Factor
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy could very well be on the hot seat. (Photo by Kevin C. … [+]
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One other backdrop here is the questionable status of McCarthy moving forward. Jones has not been quick to move off head coaches in the past. But he’s not happy with the Cowboys’ performance this season or in the playoffs each of the past three years under the embattled head coach.
Further struggles could see offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer or defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer take over on an interim basis. We’ve seen it in the recent past. That is to say, interim head coaches wanting to get a look at young quarterbacks.
Most recently, that included Antonio Pierce replacing Josh McDaniels as the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach last season. His first major move was to bench Jimmy Garoppolo for Aidan O’Connell. It’s not exactly the same situation with the Dallas Cowboys. Though, it certainly is worth noting. Give Lance a chance. What harm is it going to do at this point?