Cowbell Corner

Why Dak Prescott Should Sit Out the Rest of the Cowboys’ Injury-Plagued Season

Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury may keep him sidelined for weeks, raising questions about the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season

Taylor Hodges

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Mississippi State football had its best seasons with Dak Prescott under center, earning a No. 1 in the nation ranking for multiple weeks and finishing with one of the program’s best-ever seasons.

Prescott hasn’t had a similar, single-season impact with the Dallas Cowboys and, despite owner Jerry Jones saying the Cowboys were “all-in” for this season, that impact won’t come in 2024.

So, maybe the hamstring injury the former Bulldog suffered is a blessing in disguise.

Prescott, according to multiple reports, is likely headed to injured reserve, which means he’ll miss at least four weeks. But with how the Cowboys’ season has gone so far, Prescott may best be served by sitting out the rest of the season.

Dallas is already dealing with one major, superstar injury in pass rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons is back to practice after dealing with an ankle injury, but he was limited. Wednesday was his first day back in practice and isn’t guaranteed to be as effective before the injury. Combine that with injuries to receiver CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Guton, Trevon Diggs, Zack Martin and DaRon Bland, it may be time to punt on the 2024 season for Prescott and the Cowboys.

Prescott signed a four-year, $240 million contract extension before the start of the season, so Cowboys fans and management are well within their rights to expect Prescott to return from a hamstring.

However, if the injury is as severe as a NFL.com report states it is (which is owned by the league and, by extension, Jones and the other 31 NFL owners), Prescott would be better off missing the rest of the season (and so should the other star players on the Cowboys’ roster).

Let the season play out with Cooper Rush at quarterback and Dallas finishes with a top 16 draft pick. Some of the NFL’s best players are able to get healthy. The Cowboys hire a new coach (who probably won’t be Bill Belichick but crazier things have happened) and 2025 becomes the year Dallas returns to glory.

Read More Mississippi State Bulldogs On SI:

Three Tennessee Stars Powering Their Offense Ahead of Clash With Mississippi State

5 Key Stats to Know About Tennessee

Mississippi State Football Standout Earns Week 10 National Award Recognition

Early Weather Report: Mississippi State at No. 7 Tennessee

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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