The Cowboys’ offense stumbled for most of Sunday’s opener against the Buccaneers, even with Dak Prescott at quarterback. But Prescott couldn’t survive the night either, working alongside backup blockers and receivers, exiting Dallas’ 19-3 loss with about six minutes left after taking multiple hits to his hand. Not only is Prescott not back, with backup Cooper Rush finishing the game under center, but he won’t be available for additional games. Team owner Jerry Jones later told reporters that Prescott will need surgery for a broken hand and will miss several weeks. The QB’s hand made contact with Bucs defenders on several plays in the second half, including a follow-up that hit rusher Shaq Barrett. He was evaluated by team doctor Dan Cooper, according to ProFootballTalk, before leaving for the training room where he underwent X-rays. Officially, according to Jerry Jones, the injury occurred above the thumb and behind the knuckle of Prescott’s throwing hand. “I thought it was a jammed finger,” Prescott told reporters after the game, “but I couldn’t catch the ball. … I was told it was (a) much cleaner (break) than it could have been. . . . Obviously that’s not what you want to hear. It’s not the worst thing that’s happened to me. It’s just another bump in the road, and I’m going to keep going. . . . Let’s not panic. It’s a game.” Prescott entered Sunday’s game in Week 1 on injury report after injuring his ankle earlier in the week, and his game-ending exit came a year after his significant return from ankle and shoulder injuries prior to the 2021 season. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy talked early this offseason about using Prescott’s legs more in 2022 with the QB finally healthy, but it turns out the Pro Bowler couldn’t even create a pass rate against Tampa Bay. Behind a makeshift line with rookie Tyler Smith at left tackle, he was sacked twice, hit several more and completed just 14 of 29 throws before his exit.
