FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott's injured hamstring is partially torn away from the bone and surgery for the star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys is possible, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.
The injury, known as a partial avulsion, is likely to lead to an absence longer than the minimum of four games that would be required by putting Prescott on injured reserve.
Potentially season-ending surgery is among the options being considered, the person told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't disclosed details of Prescott's injury publicly. NFL Network was the first to report the extent of Prescott's injury.
In training camp two years ago, former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith sustained what is called a full avulsion, a complete tear of the hamstring off the bone that requires surgery, and missed 13 games.
Prescott was injured in the second half of the Cowboys' 27-21 loss to Atlanta on Sunday. Dallas (3-5) is preparing for Cooper Rush to start multiple games, beginning Sunday at home against NFC East rival Philadelphia.
Rush went 4-1 filling in two years ago after Prescott broke the thumb on his throwing hand in a season-opening loss. He also won a game in 2021 when Prescott was out with a strained calf.
The Cowboys have made the playoffs three consecutive years with a 12-5 record, but have already matched that loss total and are three games behind Washington and the Eagles in the loss column in the NFC East.
If Prescott doesn't return, it will be the second time in five years the 2016 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has been sidelined most of the season. He broke an ankle in Week 5 of the 2020 season and missed 11 games.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The trio of 76ers stars looked majestic on opening night as their images covered the arena’s 4K kinetic scoreboard. Joel Embiid palmed a basketball. Tyrese Maxey in the middle appeared ready to burst off the screen for a dunk. Paul George looked fierce as he squeezed a ball with both hands.
Embiid. Maxey. George. They were the expected anchors of a Philadelphia team that counted on this season as the one to finally make a deep run in the playoffs, all three with massive contracts to match the lofty expectations.
George bolted from the Clippers to sign a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract. Maxey, a first-time All Star last season, reached a five-year, $204 million extension. Embiid, an NBA MVP and an Olympic gold medalist, agreed to a $193 million extension.
What has all that lavish spending on three players with 17 combined All-Star nods got the Sixers two weeks into the season?
Try a 1-6 record headed into Friday's game at the Lakers — tied with Milwaukee and Utah for worst in the NBA — and no games played together because of injuries and suspension by Embiid, Maxey and George.
The 24-year-old Maxey is the latest Sixer sidelined by injury, and he could miss at least two weeks with a right hamstring injury, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t disclosed details of Maxey’s injury. The Sixers hope to know more after Maxey, who was injured a night earlier in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, received additional medical evaluation on Thursday.
“Not very good luck,” coach Nick Nurse said Wednesday night. “We’ve got to hang in there and still find a way to compete and play better.”
Maxey leads the Sixers in scoring at 27.6 points and leads the NBA with 39.7 minutes played per game. He scored 12 points in 32 minutes against the Clippers but sat out the fourth quarter.
Maxey's hamstring woes are the latest setback for a franchise that is already watching a playoff berth turn more into an outside shot rather than the guarantee it seemed at training camp in the Bahamas.
George, who scored 18 points and was booed by Clippers fans in his return to Los Angeles, has played only two games this season because of a bone bruise on his left knee suffered in a preseason game.
The 76ers have played all season without Embiid, both for what the team calls left knee management and because of a three-game suspension for shoving a member of the media.
The 76ers have been under more NBA investigations (two) than they have wins (one) this season.
The NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 last month for public statements, including by president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and Nurse, that were inconsistent with Embiid’s health status and in violation of league rules, including the player participation policy.
Embiid was suspended three games without pay after he shouted at and eventually shoved a newspaper columnist Saturday night.
The 76ers have lost four straight headed into Friday's game against the Lakers, then return home Sunday against Charlotte and have another home game Tuesday against New York. Embiid is set to make his season debut against the Knicks in the first game of NBA Cup play.
“We've got to play better,” Nurse said. “We're taking two (steps) forward and two back. We've got to develop some consistency and play a little better.”
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, right, defends against Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, right, drives past forward Guerschon Yabusele during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, left, reacts next to guard Kyle Lowry during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
