Michael Gallup’s injury recovery timeline feels too good to be true
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup tore his ACL while catching a touchdown pass in Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals. That was on Jan. 2. Now, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, over five weeks later, Gallup is finally scheduled to undergo surgery with team physician Dr. Dan Cooper on Thursday, Feb 10.
Many were surprised that Gallup hadn’t already undergone surgery. In Gehlken’s article, he reports that waiting about four weeks for swelling to go down before surgery is normal. Five weeks is apparently also normal and doesn’t necessarily mean any negative things about Gallup’s situation.
What was most shocking about Gehlken’s findings is that the team is saying they are optimistic that Gallup will be ready to start the 2022 season. According to the Mayo Clinic, ACL recovery can take anywhere from eight to twelve months. It’s of course possible to be back in less, but considering Gallup’s surgery will occur almost exactly seven months before the first game of the 2022 NFL season, it is pretty surprising to hear people feel Gallup can be back for game one.
The other factor in Gallup’s return is the fact that he is one of 21 unrestricted free agents on the Cowboys roster. If he is truly ready to play Week 1 (rather than later into the 2022 season), this could be a huge bonus for the receiver as he heads to free agency.
After strides in past month, Cowboys WR Michael Gallup is scheduled to undergo surgery on torn ACL next Thursday with head team physician Dr. Dan Cooper, source said. There is optimism he'll be ready for start of the 2022 season. https://t.co/0MxtdOOWyz
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 2, 2022
How will Cowboys WR Michael Gallup’s ACL surgery and recovery affect his market value in free agency?
Gallup is set to hit free agency after a rough fourth year in the league. After sustaining a calf injury in Week 1, the former third-round draft pick was absent from the team until Week 10. To Gallup’s credit, between Week 10 and his Week 17 season-ending injury, the receiver was able to amass 35 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns. This was far better production than that of his teammates Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.
Despite a rough fourth year, Gallup is a clear talent in the NFL and will get many offers in free agency. In his four years, he’s caught 193 passes for 2,902 yards in 55 games. The receiver is known for his acrobatic catches and ability to make game-changing plays. The Cowboys have a huge decision to make with the former Colorado State player. Spotrac projects that Gallup will get around a four-year, $47 million contract, earning him over $11 million a year. That is a hefty price tag for a Dallas team that is currently third-worst in the NFL in terms of cap space.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on the salary cap: "We're going to have to make some tough decisions. We're not going to be able to keep everybody we'd like to keep. That's part of it. The cap is a real thing."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 2, 2022
Cowboys catchers Dalton Schultz and Cedrick Wilson are also heading to free agency in March. With their breakout seasons, both the tight end and wide receiver will earn themselves far bigger salaries than they were paid this year. Will Dallas prioritize Gallup? Will they have to give him up knowing how high his paycheck is?
Another factor in Gallup’s free agency debacle is that the Cowboys could potentially save almost $16 million by cutting Cooper. Cooper, who had one of his worst statistical years in the league, made a whopping $20 million from Jerry Jones this year, making him the highest-paid receiver in the league. If the Cowboys cut Cooper, they’d be saving big-time money in order to secure higher-valued guys like Gallup.
The front office has some tough decisions to make. And now that Gallup has a much more optimistic return outlook than once perceived, their choices become even more difficult. Gallup’s potential early return helps his chances among big names in free agency like Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, and Mike Williams. Politics aside, we wish Gallup a speedy recovery.
