Dak Prescott replacements: 3 players Cowboys should target after QB's season-ending surgery

Dak Prescott's hamstring injury, which he picked up last week against the Falcons, looks more serious than initially feared and the Cowboys quarterback is planning to have a season-ending surgery to repair it. Cooper Rush is expected to take over the starting job for the rest of the year and he has proved a competent quarterback over the last few seasons whenever Dak Prescott has been unavailable.

That said, Cooper Rush's only backup will be Trey Lance. The former 49ers quarterback has not had an easy time in the league and was jettisoned by San Francisco. Earlier in the preseason, when Trey Lance got a chance to play, he did not set the world alight. Dallas might need some more depth in that position.

Given the trade deadline has passed and the Cowboys have a losing record and seem out of the playoff picture, getting a top quarterback who is already on someone else's roster, even as a practice squad member, looks unlikely. Under those circumstances, here are three quarterbacks that Dallas can consider.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott's potential replacements

#1 - Ryan Tannehill

Ryan Tannehill is currently the best free-agent quarterback available. He has extensive experience in the league and is a former Pro Bowler. After being released by the Tennessee Titans, the former Miami Dolphins quarterback has been waiting for a team to come calling. His stock has improved in retrospect after his successor, Will Levis, has struggled to lead the offense.

Last year, the Browns took a similar gamble on Joe Flacco and he ended up leading Cleveland to the postseason while also nabbing the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. Ryan Tannehill knows something about the honor too, having won it in 2019. He could come in and be an experienced backup for Cooper Rush.

If the Cowboys look like they are in the hunt for playoffs going into the final weeks of the season, having an experienced campaigner like him could be invaluable.

#2 - Ben DiNucci

It is tough for any quarterback to learn the playbook in the middle of the season. Therefore, the Cowboys could choose to replace Dak Prescott with someone who has been inside the building before and knows how the offense plays. Ben DiNucci is currently a free agent and Dallas could look to snap him up.

He has not had chances to show his worth in the NFL, bouncing around with the Broncos and Bills after moving away from the Cowboys. However, in 2023 he played in the XFL and was the passing yards leader. Jerry Jones has unearthed a gem in Brandon Aubrey after seeing the kicker score for fun in the USFL and he could see the value in bringing in a quarterback who knows the system.

#3 - Tim Boyle

The biggest challenge any quarterback will face when replacing Dak Prescott is that they might not be battle-ready in the middle of the season. In such circumstances, going with Trey Lance might be a better option if Cooper Rush is indisposed.

However, one option that the Cowboys could consider is getting Tim Boyle. He has played this season for the Miami Dolphins when starter Tua Tagovailoa was out due to a concussion. He did not acquit himself very well but he has played this season, which means he is ready to go at any moment.

He has also played for multiple teams in the league recently and knows how to pick up directives quickly in a new offense. He might not be the best quarterback around but the Cowboys were not the best team either, even with Dak Prescott as their starter. This could be a temporary and cheap solution.