Dak Prescott undergoes surgery on right thumb as Dallas Cowboys prep for QB's absence

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had surgery on his right thumb Monday afternoon and sources continue to believe he will miss 6-8 weeks as he goes through rehabilitation.

Given that timeline, Prescott is looking at the earliest return coming Oct. 30 vs. the Chicago Bears, but more likely a Nov. 13 game against the Green Bay Packers in Mike McCarthy's return to Lambeau Field.

Prescott suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after his hand twice hit the hand of linebacker Shaq Barrett. After a screen pass to Ezekiel Elliott, Prescott went to the sideline because he could no longer grip the ball.

After the game, Prescott said, «I was told it was much cleaner than it could have been.» He visited with the team's hand specialist, Dr. Thomas Diliberti, on Monday and had the surgery soon thereafter.

«You know Dak's personality, I mean, he would've had the surgery last night if they would have allowed it,» coach Mike McCarthy said. «That's the way he's wired.»

The Cowboys now have to figure out how to win without Prescott while he recovers, starting with Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals with Cooper Rush as their starter. The Cowboys are 5-7 in games without Prescott in his career, although Rush won his first career start last year against the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

He completed 7 of 13 passes for 64 yards after replacing Prescott against the Buccaneers.

«I think the biggest thing is especially at the quarterback position because obviously the importance of it, is don't overreact to it,» McCarthy said. "… Because at the end of the day, we've got to make sure we're giving the players the tools to win