Dallas Cowboys evaluating options after injury to backup QB

OXNARD, Calif. -- Dallas Cowboys backup QB Kellen Moore underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured right fibula. He is expected to be out three to four months.

Moore's injury has put the Cowboys in a difficult situation. They had expected him to serve as Tony Romo's backup this season, and now they're left scouring the free agent market and exploring trade possibilities to fill the void.

Moore, 27, has been praised throughout the offseason for his work and has gained appreciation from his teammates. Moore has been described as "smart" multiple times, and tight end Jason Witten felt he flashed potential in the two starts he made a season ago.

In three games, including two starts, Moore completed 61 of 104 passes for 779 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.

"Kellen was doing a nice job for us," coach Jason Garrett said. "He was taking advantage of his opportunity. It's too bad this happened, but he's got a lot of football ahead of him."

--Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it's not urgent that the team sign a veteran backup quarterback.

He said the Cowboys will take a long look at rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott and second-year player Jameill Showers.

"That's right. That is really a good way to say it," Jones said. "What you are seeing is cause we really have what we think is an opportunity. We have seen enough and it makes sense. We don't have to be and shouldn't be as urgent as it might look like. We don't know that we are void on campus with our backup quarterback at all. None of us know how this would work. What it is, we're not in that big a hurry."

The Cowboys expressed interest in free agent Nick Foles but made no formal offer before he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Cowboys have also discussed internally the possibility of trading for Cleveland Browns back Josh McCown.

"You just play this thing and see what happens around the league and we'll see where we are. We should be able to take a real veteran who has enough NFL experience to come in here and catch on pretty quick, but at the same time to be getting Dak and Showers their reps," Jones said. "That backup quarterback has to be the right situation. We don't want one that we're having to give so much reps too that we don't get reps with Dak and Showers. We've got to look at that. The best thing to do right now is to be pretty deliberate, to not be in a big hurry and let some more things play out around the

league."