Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) at AT&T Stadium. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: QB Dak Prescott needs surgery on throwing hand, will miss 'several weeks'

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/12/22

As if the Dallas Cowboys' nightmarish 19-3 loss to Tom Brady and Tampa Buccaneers wasn't enough, "America's Team" was dealt another significant blow after the game.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott left Sunday night's contest early with a reported thumb injury. Speaking with reporters following the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced that Prescott suffered a fractured joint in his throwing hand, adding Prescott would undergo surgery and miss "several weeks."

Jerry jones said Dak Prescott needs surgery on his thumb and will be out several weeks.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 12, 2022

Prescott left the game with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter. While it's unclear when Prescott suffered the injury, many have pointed to a play where Buccaneers' Shaq Barrett appears to grab the quarterback's thumb after attempting to knock down a pass.

Not speculating that it’s a dirty play, but it does appear that Shaq Barrett grasps & pulls down on Dak Prescott’s hand into extension.

Could be looking at a thumb/UCL sprain or index tendon injury.

These kinds of injuries have cost QBs quite some time in the past (Russ, Brees) pic.twitter.com/IPYlcKhOMz
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 12, 2022

Like much of his team, Prescott struggled in Sunday night's opener, even before the injury. Prescott finished 14-of-29 for 134 yards and an interception.

For now, the Cowboys will have to move forward without Prescott as they turn to backup Cooper Rush. Rush finished 7-of-13 for 64 yards in relief of Prescott.

Rush made the only start of his five-year NFL career last season, going 30-of-47 for 422 yards and three touchdowns in a 20-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Rush and Cowboys will look to avoid falling to 0-2 next week when they host the defending AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals.

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