Michael Gallup tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on January 2nd but looks on track to return in week 3 when they go on the road to play the Giants.
Gallup participated in 7-on-7 drills Wednesday for the first time since that brutal injury; coach Mike McCarthy said he had no setbacks and built upon that by doing some activity in pads yesterday. The likely return could be in store in week 3 against New York, which seems to be why the Cowboys did not put him on IR.
It is probably better if he takes this week off and does not try and test anything anyway; Gallup being on a snap count is the likely outcome upon his return, regardless. With the no-show from the receivers in week one, it might not help much this week anyway, but his return to the lineup will help as the season progresses. The Cowboys, after week one, were ranked 30th in total offense and 32nd in scoring; it can’t hurt it much more!
Expecting Gallup to return to form right away will be a long shot. He can at least help CeeDee Lamb by stretching the defense a bit and is a player that teams have to keep an eye on. Guys like Noah Brown and Dennis Houston have not proven anything in the NFL yet, and teams are not afraid of them. Gallup had a 20-yard catch in seven of the 11 games a season ago, and when you think about it, Lamb has only had a 20-yarder in five of his last 11. He will help.
#Cowboys WR Michael Gallup prepares for his first padded practice with team Director of Rehabilitation Britt Brown. Gallup believed to be another week from return to game play. pic.twitter.com/PZWXOed196
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 15, 2022
Prescott out for at least a month. Jerry Jones and a doctor have set his timetable; I will side with the professional and guess he wouldn’t be back before at least the six-week mark. Dallas will have to try and steal a game or two before he returns, and if Gallup can at least suit up in week three, there might be a tiny window for that to happen. Notice what happened to Chris Godwin in week one after being rushed back recovering from an ACL injury; his hamstring did not handle it well, and he is out again because of it.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup will practice in pads today but he will not play in Sunday's game against the Bengals. The ramp up will continue next week when they do more in practice if all goes well today.
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) September 15, 2022
Gallup being able to do 7-on-7 is a big step forward; he needs to get comfortable putting pressure on that knee, making cuts, going up high for a ball, and even getting out of his stance quickly. He will repeatedly make all those natural football moves, mind over matter. Gallup is one of my favorite players on the roster, and his ability to high point the football is something I always liked about him. For him to be able to do that again, feeling some contact on that knee will be necessary. I don’t expect a ton of tough catches even upon his return, but his presence on the field could help pull defenders his way, opening a few other doors for a weaker wide receiver room.
Let’s hope the Cowboys can find their way into the end zone in the next couple of weeks.
