David Moore: This is why the Cowboys season is all but over with nine weeks still remaining

FRISCO, Texas — There are nine weeks left in the regular season.

But make no mistake. The Dallas Cowboys season is done.

Not mathematically. Nine games remain in a stretch that starts this weekend against division-rival Philadelphia.

But the franchise’s playoff aspirations have evaporated before it could even reach its fourth home game. It’s more – much more – than the loss to Atlanta that dropped the Cowboys to 3-5 on the season.

Dak Prescott was unable to finish that game after he felt what he described as a pull or something he’s never felt before. An MRI confirmed a hamstring injury.

A second opinion is being sought, but the injury will keep the team’s starting quarterback out for multiple weeks, two people with knowledge of the evolving timeframe told The Dallas Morning News.

“We’re obviously still evaluating,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “We have some information. The only thing I really have for you as far as the timeline would be that he will not be available this week.”

It appears that Prescott will be hard-pressed to return until after Thanksgiving. Placing him on injured reserve, a list eight-deep at the moment, is part of the discussion.

“I think once the doctors, and really once he figures out exactly where he’s at, those are conversations that will probably happen here over the course of this week,” McCarthy acknowledged.

The results were a little more encouraging in regard to CeeDee Lamb, who suffered a sprained AC joint in Sunday’s loss. The club is awaiting the results of additional scans and the receiver will undoubtedly be limited in practice this week.

But club officials are encouraged that he could play against the Eagles.

“He’s going to have more testing,” McCarthy said. “We’ll know more (Tuesday).

“Just knowing CeeDee, I don’t see him not playing.”

The keys to the offense against Philadelphia and beyond will now be handed to Cooper Rush. He’s been here before.

The Cowboys are 5-1 in games Rush has stepped in for an injured Prescott.

“It goes well beyond 5-1,” McCarthy said. “Cooper Rush is as respected as a backup quarterback that I would say since Rich Gannon when I was with Rich in the ’90s with the Kansas City Chiefs. He carries that type of credibility.

“He’s a great teammate. He’s someone you can see the young guys lean on. He’s wicked smart, instinctive. Does a great job when he runs the scout team.

“He just does everything the right way. He’s an excellent pro. There will be plenty of confidence in him.”

Confidence isn’t an issue. The talent surrounding Rush and the current lack of execution across the board offensively is the question.

The starts Rush got at quarterback in ’21 and ’22 when Prescott was out came during 12-5 seasons. This team has already lost five games and is riding a three-game losing streak, the longest since McCarthy’s first season as the Cowboys’ head coach.

There’s help on the horizon. Micah Parsons, one of the league’s best defensive players, is tentatively scheduled to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain on Sept. 26. Cornerback DaRon Bland could also work his way back into practice this week.

Still, previous teams with Rush were better equipped to absorb Prescott’s absence than this injured, inconsistent group.

“It’s definitely hard,” McCarthy said. “I just think this is the path that’s been cut out for us.”

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