Breaking: Dak Prescott to IR: Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes Dim

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is likely to be placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, which would rule him out for the month of November.

The Cowboys (3-5) ruled Prescott out for Week 10 against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) with backup Cooper Rush named the starter for Sunday’s matchup with their NFC East rival.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that Prescott would “likely” be placed on injured reserve, a transaction that requires him to miss the next four games by NFL rule. That’s a dire stretch for Dallas. The Cowboys host the Eagles, play the Houston Texans (6-3) in primetime, then play twice in five days. Before entertaining the Giants (2-7) on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys get their first look at former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s Commanders (7-2) on Nov. 24.

Prescott would be eligible to be added back to the active roster for the Dec. 9 “Monday Night Football” matchup with the Bengals (4-5).

With Dallas trailing the Falcons 27-13 near the end of the third quarter , Prescott appeared to grimace after a 10-yard pass to Jalen Brooks. He stayed in the game but was ruled out with 11:08 left in the fourth quarter. Prescott said he first felt the pain the play before the completion to Brooks, when he was getting up after a 5-yard scramble.

Rush, who replaced Prescott on Sunday, will be backed up by Trey Lance when the Cowboys entertain the Eagles.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Rush is the most respected backup quarterback he’s coached since Rich Gannon.

“(He) carries that type of credibility. He’s a great teammate. He’s someone that you can see the young guys lean on,” McCarthy said. “He’s wicked smart, instinctive. He does a great job when he runs the scout team. He just does everything the right way. Excellent pro. There will be plenty of confidence in him.”

Making his 36th straight start, Prescott was 18-of-24 passing for 133 yards and a touchdown, along with a season-high 30 rushing yards. The 31-year-old entered the day with 24 rushing yards this season.

Rush led Dallas’ comeback bid. He passed for 115 yards and a touchdown. Rush has played sparingly of late behind Prescott, but after the longtime starting QB broke his right thumb in the 2022 season opener, Rush went 4-1 as the starter.

Prescott also missed 11 games in 2020 with a right ankle injury and sat out one game the next season due to a strained right calf.