FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is dealing with a partial avulsion of his right hamstring, meaning part of the tendon has separated from the bone, a source confirmed Wednesday.

Prescott has not yet been placed on injured reserve. If he is placed on IR, he would miss at least four games, which would keep him out until at least Dec. 9 against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals should such a move occur this week. However, two sources said Prescott would likely require a recovery period longer than four weeks.

NFL Network first reported the nature of Prescott's injury.

Prescott was injured in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons after a 5-yard scramble late in the third quarter. On the next play, cameras caught him grimacing as he threw a wobbly 10-yard pass to Jalen Brooks. After the game he said he hadn't had that feeling before.

“I felt it when I got up from running. I can’t even say I felt it while running,” Prescott said. “The tackle, maybe something on the tackle. Yes, I don't know. But when I stood up, I actually felt something. Didn't think it was much. You get tired. It's a physical game. A lot. “Sometimes you feel different things and they kind of disappear.”

Prescott had an MRI on Monday and a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter at the time that the quarterback would be out for several weeks.

In 2022, Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith suffered a complete avulsion of his hamstring during a training camp practice, requiring surgery. He sat out the first 13 games of this season.

The Cowboys will use Cooper Rush at quarterback in Prescott's absence. Rush is 5-1 as Prescott's replacement, including a 4-1 stint in 2022 after Prescott suffered a broken right thumb in the season opener. Rush has nine touchdown throws, six interceptions and 1,786 passing yards in 30 appearances.

Trey Lance will serve as the backup.

“Cooper was great at getting Dak ready to play, and now Dak, they're going to switch roles there,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “(Rush’s) temperament is excellent. I would say he's just as balanced as a person, especially a quarterback, that I've had the opportunity to work with. Intellectually. Smart. It gives you the flexibility to keep playing. I think that's what you want from all your quarterbacks. You don't want to get to a point where you have to change a lot of things offensively because of who is behind the center.