- The Dallas Cowboys have had a really tough season to date, as they’re 3-5 and third in the NFC East.
- The Cowboys are in trouble of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 NFL season.
- Dallas has now lost quarterback Dak Prescott for at least four weeks, and it is likely to be longer than that.
It has been a rough 2024-2025 NFL season for the Dallas Cowboys. “America’s Team” was supposed to challenge for the NFC East title, and a playoff spot was their floor.
However, various factors have led the Cowboys to a 3-5 record heading into NFL Week 10 action. An uphill climb to make the playoffs has gotten even harder as quarterback Dak Prescott is out for at least four weeks with a severe hamstring injury. Many think he’ll be out even longer.
Prescott Suffers Partial Tear of Hamstring, May Need Surgery
Prescott suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Cowboys’ 27-21 loss in Atlanta in NFL Week 9 action. The nine-year veteran tried to play through the injury, but it was just too much.
Now, various outlets are reporting that Prescott actually suffered a partial avulsion of his right hamstring, which means part of the tendon tore off the bone. The team is still figuring out if the injury can heal on its own (via rehab), or if Prescott will need surgery. If surgery is the call, Prescott is likely out for the season. The Cowboys placed Prescott on injured reserve earlier this week, which means he is out for at least four weeks.
NFL betting sites had an idea that Prescott would be out for the Cowboys’ NFL Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 6-2 and have won four in a row. The Eagles opened up as 6.5-point favorites, and it has moved up to -7.5 at some online sportsbooks. Don’t be surprised if it moves even more to make the Eagles larger favorites over their NFC East rivals. It would be a brave decision to put the Cowboys in your NFL Week 10 underdog picks.
It has been that kind of year for the Cowboys, who could also be without receiver CeeDee Lamb on Sunday, due to an ailing shoulder. Prescott had been having a poor season, completing 64.7% of his passes (20th in the NFL) for 1,978 yards (11th), 11 touchdowns (tied for 10th), and eight interceptions (tied for third). The Cowboys have been battling injuries all season, and this might be the death knell for their campaign.
Can the Cowboys (and Mike McCarthy) Survive Without Prescott?
The Cowboys are likely to drop off the board at online sportsbooks, and you probably won’t find many good Dallas options in your NFL player props. Head coach Mike McCarthy has already said that Cooper Rush will start against the Eagles. Rush was 13-of-25 for 115 yards and a touchdown after taking over for Prescott. The 30-year-old also played six games in 2022 when Prescott missed time with a thumb injury.
The Cowboys also have Trey Lance, who was drafted third by San Francisco in 2021, and promptly traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick in 2023. Lance has yet to attempt a pass for the Cowboys.
This means it’s going to be a difficult road for the Cowboys going forward, and likely missing the playoffs. That also spells trouble for McCarthy, who was second in the next NFL coach fired odds as of October 4. Only Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson is ahead of McCarthy, and it sounds like he’ll stay for the season. However, it would be a shock to many if McCarthy is the Dallas coach for the 2025-2026 season.
