FRISCO — Sunday marked the Dallas’ Cowboys’ first game since the 2022 season without Dak Prescott starting under center.

While many have been quick to criticize the star quarterback’s play this season, his presence was clearly missed in Dallas’ 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Prescott missed the game with a hamstring injury suffered in the Cowboys’ Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The blow turned more serious than initially thought, leading to Dallas’ quarterback being ruled out for the season.

He made his way to New York Wednesday for his surgery. While head coach Mike McCarthy had not yet connected with Prescott in the aftermath of his procedure, he shared a message for the Cowboys’ star.

“The most important thing he needs to do right now is focus on the surgery, rehab and going through that process,” McCarthy said. “Regardless of what it’s for, it’s always tough on the individual, so he just needs to focus on himself right now.”

This marks the second time in McCarthy’s tenure with Dallas that he has seen Prescott undergo an operation to end his season early. Similarly to the ankle injury that ended his 2020 campaign, there is a sense of draining from this Cowboys’ group without him suiting up.

By all accounts, McCarthy and Prescott have had a strong working relationship through the last five seasons. However, it becomes more possible by the week that their work on the field could come to a close.

Dallas signed Prescott to a record contract extension in the offseason, securing his future with the franchise likely to the fruition of his career.

On the other hand, McCarthy’s future with the Cowboys has no such guarantee. He entered the season a “lame-duck” coach and the series of failures that now leave Dallas 3-6 could point to that speculation being a reality.

Regardless, the two have worked together well for the most part, seeing three consecutive 12-5 seasons before 2024.