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5 Cowboys quarterback options with Dak Prescott out for the year

cory woodroof
·2 min read
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151368 ORIG FILE ID: 2173798853
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151368 ORIG FILE ID: 2173798853

This post has been updated.

The Dallas Cowboys are in a tough spot after it was confirmed on Tuesday that quarterback Dak Prescott will miss the rest of the season.

Prescott will undergo season-ending hamstring surgery on Wednesday, team owner Jerry Jones shared on 105.3 The Fan.

Prescott will rehab for a 2025 return, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. However, that doesn't help much for a 3-6 Cowboys team on the ropes right now.

The team does have options to replace Prescott since he is done for the year. Let's break down who they are and how they'd factor in for Dallas under center.

QB Cooper Rush

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The most likely option for Dallas is sticking with Rush for the time being. The backup quarterback has played well and won games in the past, and he led a late touchdown drive against the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago after Prescott exited the game. He might start for the rest of the year.

QB Trey Lance

Oct 27, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) during warmups before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Oct 27, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) during warmups before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

If Dallas wants to see what it has in Lance, now is the time to do so. The former third-overall draft pick still has untapped potential, and there's no time like the present to get him some reps. The Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for him, so it wouldn't be a shock to see him play this fall.

QB Ryan Tannehill

Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) rolls out against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) rolls out against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

If the Cowboys are still serious about making the playoffs (which is an uphill climb), calling Tannehill and bringing him to Dallas wouldn't hurt. The veteran quarterback is still a free agent, and this would be the perfect opportunity for him to return for another season if he still wants to play. It's not a bad idea to keep this Cowboys team as competitive as possible on Sundays.

QB Mike White

Aug 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Earnest Brown IV (74) pressures Miami Dolphins quarterback Mike White (14) in the second quarter during preseason at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Earnest Brown IV (74) pressures Miami Dolphins quarterback Mike White (14) in the second quarter during preseason at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

White is on the Buffalo Bills practice squad and could be called up to factor into the Dallas quarterback room. We're not sure if he'd move the needle much, but he's an option. White is 2-5 as a starter, earning a couple of wins from his days with the New York Jets.

QB Trevor Siemian

Aug 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Siemian is one of the league's ultimate journeymen quarterbacks, and it wouldn't be a shock to see Dallas sign him off the Tennessee Titans' practice squad to see what he can do. He's got plenty of starting experience and could help out if Rush and/or Lance falter on the field.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Cowboys quarterback options with Dak Prescott out for the year