Johnathan Walker:Dak Prescott injury update: Cowboys QB likely headed to IR, to miss at least four games

The Johnathan WalkerDallas Cowboys will apparently protect injured quarterback Dak Prescott, if largely from himself.

During his weekly radio interview on 105.3 The FAN on Tuesday morning, team owner Jerry Jones said, “It’s likely we’ll IR him," meaning Prescott would miss at least the next four games as he tries to heal from the hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Falcons in Atlanta.

Prescott said following the game that the issue was “something he never felt before," and the pain on his face was obvious during his final throw of the afternoon. He said the medical staff opted to shut him down because he could no longer reasonably safeguard himself on the field. However NFL Media reported Monday that Prescott planned an aggressive rehabilitation in order to get back on the field sooner than later.

But, apparently, that won't happen.

It's the latest blow to what was already a highly disappointing season for the reigning NFC East champions, who are 3-5 and set to be without their most important player for the foreseeable future.

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What games will Dak Prescott miss?

Going on injured reserve would force the 2023 league MVP runner-up, who signed a record extension (4 years, $240 million) before the regular-season opener, to the sideline at least until Dec. 9. And the upcoming stretch seems especially crucial given three of the Cowboys' four upcoming games are against division rivals: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Nov. 10), at Washington Commanders (Nov. 24) and vs. New York Giants on Nov. 28, which is Dallas' annual Thanksgiving showcase. The other matchup is a Monday nighter at home against the Houston Texans on Nov. 18, surely one that carries a little extra weight with local fans who covet Lone Star State bragging rights.

Prescott's numbers have been down after he led the NFL with 410 completions and 36 TD passes last season. He's currently averaging 247.3 passing yards per game – 18 fewer than last year – with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His completion rate (64.7%) and pass rating (career-low 86.0) are depressed and significantly shy of his career norms.

Prescott would be eligible to return for Week 14's home date with the Cincinnati Bengals but could be shut down for the season at any point depending on how things play out both with his recovery and the team at large.

Who are the Cowboys' backup QBs?

Dallas has some fairly intriguing fallbacks behind center with Prescott headed for the shelf.

Cooper Rush hasn’t played much recently but completed 13 of 25 passes for 115 yards and a TD in relief at Atlanta. He essentially saved the 2022 regular season by winning four of five starts when Prescott was sidelined with a bum thumb. With nearly the entirety of his seven-year career spent in Dallas, Rush knows the personnel and the playbook.

Jones also indicated that QB3 Trey Lance could get an opportunity to play – which would be a welcome development for the No. 3 pick of the 2021 draft to kickstart his thus far disappointing career. He was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers before the start of the 2023 season but hasn't managed to unseat Rush. Lance will be a free agent next year.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.