The Cowboys' season is on the brink at 3-5, and there is plenty of blame to go around.

The front office's inaction in the offseason was widely criticized by fans in the spring, and it certainly looks like it's coming back to haunt owner Jerry Jones. There were also some tough circumstances outside Dallas' control, though. CB DaRon Bland (foot) has yet to play after a breakthrough 2023 season, while star edge rusher Micah Parsons has missed four games due to an injury.

Now, a significant hamstring injury to Dak Prescott threatens to make matters even worse for the Cowboys, forcing Cooper Rush into action in what might be must-win games for the organization's fading playoff hopes.

When will Micah Parsons return?

Parsons could be ready to play for the Cowboys' Week 10 game against the Eagles, potentially giving Dallas a major defensive boost with the offense missing Prescott.

Parsons has been out since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 — and he didn't come particularly close to getting cleared in time to play in Week 9 — but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that Parsons could be ready to go for the major NFC East battle.

If Parsons isn't able to go, that development is at least a positive sign for his Week 11 availability against the Texans.

The Cowboys are going to need their defense to step up if they want to stay afloat with Prescott out, and the chances of that happening are much greater when Parsons is on the field. The fourth-year star recorded at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons, and he already had six quarterback hits when he went down despite only one sack through four games.

With Bland also getting closer to a return, albeit likely a later return than Parsons, Dallas' defense is getting healthy at a critical point in the season. The question is, however, whether it's too late with the team 2.5 games out of a playoff spot and nowhere near NFC East contention.

Micah Parsons injury update

Parsons exited the Cowboys' Week 4 win over the Giants with an ankle injury, and he was later diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain.

The Cowboys always considered Parsons week-to-week and never placed him on IR, but he was ruled out of each of Dallas' past four games as he tried to get his ankle as close to 100 percent as possible.

While it wasn't considered a major injury at the time, Parsons' absence has cost the Cowboys. Dallas has lost three consecutive games, allowing at least 27 points in all three and recording only two sacks in each contest.

Even if Parsons isn't taking down the opposing quarterback, his presence alone changes the way offensive lines operate against the Cowboys' defense. His return against either the Eagles or Texans would be a major boost to the unit, though the loss of Prescott on the other side of the ball could easily offset the difference.