Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, revealed that quarterback Dak Prescott will probably be placed on injured reserve for at least four games because of a strained hamstring. Jones clarified, though, that the Cowboys are not giving up on their season and are still working to strengthen their squad. On the day of the trading deadline, Jones said on his radio program that the Cowboys had traded with the Carolina Panthers to acquire wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, although he did not specifically name Mingo.
To finalise the transaction, the Cowboys will forfeit a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a seventh-round pick. “We’re not going to sell,” Jones declared. “We are not selling; we are buying.” In the second half of the Cowboys’ 27–21 loss to Atlanta, Prescott sustained an injury. The Cowboys (3-5) are facing a difficult run of four straight games against teams with winning records due to their demanding schedule, which includes a matchup against NFC East foe Philadelphia on Sunday.
“It’s an extended period of time here,” Jones said in reference to Prescott’s recuperation. When it might be, I wouldn’t dare offer a prediction. We’ll see how his rehabilitation goes. Cooper Rush will start as quarterback in Prescott’s place, much as he did in 2022 when the Cowboys went 4-1 while Prescott was sidelined due to a thumb injury. Rush also won a game while filling in for Prescott in 2021. Jones admitted that Prescott’s injury is yet another setback for the squad, which has lost three straight games for the first time since 2020.
“Dak’s injury is undoubtedly a setback,” Jones stated. But we’ve saw Cooper accomplish it. We are aware of the offensive tactics and what we must accomplish. All we have to do is work together, game by game, and utilise every player to the most extent possible. The defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys are currently three games behind Philadelphia and Washington in the division. Dallas will play a challenging four-game run against teams with winning records, including the Commanders (7-2).
The Cowboys are currently 0-3 at home, therefore their game against Washington will be their lone away game in the next five games. Prescott won’t be able to return until after the Cowboys’ five-game run, which may include a game against Cincinnati on December 9, if he is placed on injured reserve.
Micah Parsons, a two-time All-Pro pass rusher, missed four games because of a high ankle sprain, but Jerry Jones says he expected him to return for the game against the Eagles. Additionally, Parsons is anticipated to practise on Wednesday for the first time since the injury, according to coach Mike McCarthy. DaRon Bland, an All-Pro cornerback who established an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns last season, may also return soon to the Cowboys. He is almost ready to make his season debut after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his foot during the preseason.
Jones underlined that despite the obstacles, the Cowboys will need to work as a team to achieve. “To get where we all want to go, we’re going to have to have it from within,” Jones stated. We’ll need to take part in a scene straight out of a storybook. I’ve participated in a few of those. And it is possible. The Panthers selected Mingo in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but rookies Xavier Legette (a first-round pick) and Jalen Coker (an undrafted player) have performed better for the team, which has the poorest record in the league. The Panthers also traded Diontae Johnson, a wide receiver, last week.
It appears that Dallas’ acquisition of Mingo is more about the future than it is about this season. After All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ second receiver, Brandin Cooks, will be a free agent in 2025. In contrast, Mingo’s contract is set to expire in 2026. Lamb is anticipated to play on Sunday despite suffering a right shoulder injury against the Falcons. Due to a knee injury, Cooks may make his comeback from injured reserve this week, but the Cowboys have been cautious about whether to let him play.
The Cowboys cut cornerback Andrew Booth, who they had traded for from Minnesota during training camp, to clear space on the roster for Mingo.