The Dallas Cowboys' quarterback situation was already in dire straits when Dak Prescott suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Week 5.

But things have grown significantly more worrisome under center.

Veteran gunslinger Andy Dalton sustained an injury to the head and neck area against the Washington Football Team next weekend. Dalton entered into concussion protocol, and will not play in this weekend's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Dalton should be good to go in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This is good news for Dallas, to be sure.

The Cowboys fell to 2-5 after losing to the Football Team. However, Dallas is still near the top of the NFC East standings thanks to a woeful division that remains up for grabs. Thus, Dalton's return at least seems to offer a glimmer of hope for the team to try to build momentum ahead of Dallas' Week 10 bye.

Ben DiNucci will be thrust into starting duty against the Eagles, which is hardly the best matchup for a seventh-round draft pick.

The Cowboys have sustained a number of key injuries on the offensive line, while Philadelphia boasts one of the best front seven units in all of football.

DiNucci will have to do everything in his power to keep Dallas afloat, especially considering how poorly the Cowboys' defense has performed throughout the course of the season.

If by some chance DiNucci can help lead the Cowboys to a win, they will feel good about themselves with Dalton returning in Week 9 against the Steelers.