6 quarterbacks the Dallas Cowboys can acquire with Dak Prescott facing hand surgery

The Cowboys may have to trade for someone else's backup -- like Jimmy Garoppolo? -- thanks to a picked-over free agent market.

The last time Dak Prescott suffered a significant injury, the Dallas Cowboys finished the season 6-10. That was with a proven veteran backup, Andy Dalton, ready to take the helm in his absence.

Prescott is slated to miss time again after exiting a 19-3 opening night loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a hand injury. X-rays showed a potential fracture that will require surgery. That places an estimated recovery period that ranges from four to eight weeks, possibly keeping him out through the team’s Week 9 bye. Dallas will likely stare down opponents like the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams and possibly the Philadelphia Eagles without their QB1.

There’s no Andy Dalton option at QB2. Prescott’s backup is Cooper Rush, a player the team had no concern about being claimed off waivers at the roster cutdown date. Rush threw 13 of his 63 career NFL passes Sunday night. He’s 1-0 as an NFL starter but probably not what Jerry Jones had in mind for his Week 2 showdown with the reigning AFC champions.

Prescott wasn’t the only significant injury Dallas faced Sunday night. Starting left guard Connor McGovern will miss 4-6 weeks with a lower body injury and safety Jayron Kearse left the locker room on crutches.

His is absolutely the most impactful, however. Here’s how Jones can find a temporary fix, either via trade or sifting through the remnants of a picked-over free agent marketplace.