Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott out for 'several weeks' with thumb injury suffered in loss to Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 1032 GMT (1832 HKT) September 12, 2022

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reacts after injuring his thumb when he hit his hand against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium.

(CNN)It wasn't just the one-sided nature of the team's 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which would have troubled Dallas Cowboys fans on Sunday night; the sight of their star quarterback leaving with a hand injury was enough to give nightmares.

In the Cowboys' season-opening game in front of a raucous crowd at their AT&T Stadium against Tom Brady and the Bucs, Dallas's 2022 season began with a stutter and a scare. If the struggling offensive performance wasn't enough to worry about — Dallas didn't score after opening the game with field goal — a potentially serious injury to Dak Prescott could have long-term repercussions. In the fourth quarter, as he attempted to power the offense and produce a comeback, Prescott's throwing hand — his right — connected with the hands of Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett during a pass attempt. Prescott walks away from the podium during the post-game press conference after losing against the Bucs.The 29-year-old's discomfort was evident almost immediately, and he jogged back to the locker room with an athletic trainer. Read MoreCowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the game that Prescott will undergo further medical examinations but has sustained a fracture «behind the thumb» and will miss «several games but not out for the year.»Prescott was seen wearing a brace during post-game media availability. He expressed his frustration at the injury but acknowledged it could have been much worse. «I was told it was much cleaner than it