Dak Prescott addresses thumb injury following loss to Buccaneers

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a hand injury during the team’s first game of the season, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The official diagnosis is a fracture to his thumb, which will require surgery. According to Jerry Jones, it’s an injury that will force him to miss several weeks.

While speaking to the media, Dak Prescott appeared wearing a splint on his hand. He also spoke about the injury.

“Yeah, it’s very disappointing, but injuries happen,” Dak Prescott said. “Can’t necessarily control it. Just unfortunate. I’m obviously going to miss some time, not be there for my team. That’s what hurts more than anything, especially after the start that we just put out there. I wanted to be able to respond and not necessarily having that opportunity for several weeks. Yeah, it’s unfortunate, but I’ll do what I’ve always done anytime adversity comes. Take it on head first and I’ll give my best, and I’m sure I’ll come out of this better.”

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At first, Dak Prescott didn’t think the injury was as severe as it turned out to be. During the fourth quarter of Dallas’ opening loss to Tampa Bay, Prescott’s hand hit a Buccaneers defender on the follow through.

“Thought I jammed it,” Dak Prescott said. “I mean, I’ve hit on however many bodies, a lot in my career, and never really had anything [except] maybe a jammed finger, and I actually thought that’s what it was. The next play I realized I couldn’t grip the ball, let the sideline know. Then, when I got off, I told the trainers the same thing. I said, ‘I can’t grip it. I feel like if you yank it, I’ll be OK,’ and I came in and got X-rays and things were different.”

Early in his career, the former Mississippi State quarterback looked to be durable at the NFL level. However, in 2020 a compound fracture and dislocated ankle ended Dak Prescott’s season early. In 2021, he played through shoulder and calf issues. Then, during training camp, he left practice early with an apparent ankle issue. Now, he needs surgery on his throwing hand.

Cowboys to start Cooper Rush

In Dak Prescott’s absence, which is expected to last six to eight weeks, Dallas will start Cooper Rush in his place.

A former Central Michigan quarterback, Cooper Rush has been a backup quarterback in the NFL since 2017. Most of that time, he’s spent with the Cowboys. He has played in 11 career games, only starting one. He’s thrown for 488 yards and threw three touchdowns on his career. Will Grier will act as his backup.