### Dak Prescott to Miss Several Weeks Due to Hamstring Injury

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is set to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury that is more severe than initially anticipated, according to sources within the NFL and the team. Prescott, who is 31 years old, sustained the injury during the Cowboys' Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, a game which ended in a 27-21 defeat for Dallas.

During the game, Prescott went to the injury tent for evaluation after the Cowboys concluded a field goal drive late in the third quarter. Team trainers also attended to his bloodied hand during the Falcons' subsequent possession. Though he returned to the sidelines after approximately six minutes, Prescott did not re-enter the game. His postgame comments indicated that he experienced a sensation in his hamstring that was entirely new to him.

Prescott had been performing well before his injury, completing 18 of 24 pass attempts for 133 yards and a touchdown, along with 30 rushing yards on three carries. Notably, he had a 22-yard run, the longest by a Cowboys player this season. For the season, Prescott has amassed 1,978 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with a completion percentage of 64.7 percent. This season marks the first in a four-year, $240 million contract extension he signed just before Dallas won against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.

In Prescott's absence, Cooper Rush, a seven-year veteran, took over and is expected to start in the upcoming games. Rush previously served as the starter for the Cowboys in 2022, achieving a 4-1 record as he filled in for an injured Prescott, helping the team reach the NFC Divisional Round with a 12-5 finish. In the recent game against the Falcons, Rush completed 13 of 25 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown and orchestrated a successful 14-play, 86-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes, though Dallas failed to recover an onside kick to complete the comeback.

The Cowboys now face crucial decisions regarding their quarterback situation. With Prescott out, relying on Rush seems to be the immediate plan. The alternative, Trey Lance, appears less likely given his lack of recent play, including a poor preseason showing. The Cowboys hope Rush can replicate some of his past success and keep the team competitive.

For fantasy football enthusiasts, Prescott's absence impacts the value of key offensive players. Receivers like CeeDee Lamb, who averaged 76.0 receiving yards and two touchdowns during Rush's starts in 2022, may see their production dip if Rush cannot maintain that level of play. Furthermore, Lamb's own week-to-week shoulder injury adds another layer of uncertainty. Other players, such as Rico Dowdle and Jake Ferguson, offer risky propositions for fantasy lineups.

As the Cowboys look ahead, the team and its fans are bracing for a challenging period without their starting quarterback, hoping that Rush can steer them through this turbulent stretch.