Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is reportedly facing more time on the sidelines than the four weeks he initially expected after a series of medical tests on Wednesday.
Prescott suffered a hamstring injury during the team's 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and is widely expected to be heading to injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four games.
But a new report from NFL Network's Jane Slater suggests that Prescott may instead be in line for a longer recovery period, after tests revealed the severity of the injury.
In a tweet, Slater reported: 'As the Cowboys weigh in on Dak Prescott's IR status, sources tell me the initial diagnosis is a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon which is partially torn off the bone.
'I’m told it typically takes more than a 4 week recovery. In some cases, they let it scar over, repair and then strengthen.
Dak Prescott watches on from the Cowboys bench after suffering a worrying hamstring injury
'With that being said, Prescott is seeking other opinions which is why there is currently a reluctance to place him on IR or make any determinations about a timeline for return.'
Injured reserve was initially floated as the likely decision by the Cowboys' outspoken owner Jerry Jones, who spoke to reporters on Tuesday.
'It's likely we'll IR him,' Jones told radio station 105.3 The Fan, following Prescott's initial MRI scan after the game.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that the club was still evaluating Prescott's injury.
'Once the doctors and really once he figures out where he's at,' McCarthy said, 'those are conversations that'll probably happen here over the course of this week.'
McCarthy confirmed that Prescott will not be available for Dallas' Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Cooper Rush, who came in for Prescott after the injury, will get the starting nod.
Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning with an update on the QB's status
The Cowboys also have former first-round pick Trey Lance as an option.
Apart from his hamstring, Prescott also suffered a hand laceration on Sunday, but Rapoport previously reported that the quarterback's hand was fine.
Dallas' tough stretch got more bitter on Sunday as they dropped to 3-5 with their third straight loss. The next three weeks do not show much promise as they have the Texans and Commanders on deck in line with Prescott's likely absence.
Prescott joins his fellow Cowboys stars Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, who has not played since Week 4, on IR.
