Michael Gallup throws cold water on Cowboys return after Mike McCarthy comments

Dallas Cowboys fans were devastated when star wide receiver Michael Gallup went down in Week 17 with an ACL injury during a touchdown reception. The excitement over his caught pass in the end zone quickly subsided when fans realized the WR was grimacing in obvious pain.

Just before the playoffs, one of Dak Prescott’s receiving targets was out.

Ever since then, various reports have come out about when Gallup could be back and ready to play with the Cowboys. Before his surgery even happened on February 10, reports came out that the receiver may be ready to go for Week 1 (despite the fact that the Mayo Clinic states ACL recovery can take eight to twelve months), giving fans a glimpse of hope they desperately needed. However, a month later, the narrative quickly turned to Gallup likely unable to be available for “the start of the season.”

But, what is the start of the season? One game? Three games? Six games? Those are the answers we have all been pining for since March.

Michael Gallup says starting Week 1 “is not a realistic possibility” despite Mike McCarthy’s optimism

In the past few months, it’s become abundantly clear that Gallup won’t start Week 1. But any info beyond that has yet to be given. On day one of training camp, head coach Mike McCarthy was unsurprisingly asked for an update about one of his main receivers. The response seemed positive. While no one assumed that McCarthy’s quote meant Gallup would be ready the next day, it seemed more optimistic than what we later heard from the receiver himself.

McCarthy told the press that the receiver “looks really good” and “has not missed a target yet,” once again sparking hope in fans.

When reporters asked the receiver himself the next day, he finally gave some form of affirmative answer as to whether he would be able to play against the Bucs. The answer was, unfortunately, no.

Gallup told the press that starting Week 1 was not realistic and said he has “a little ways to go.”

Despite starting camp on the PUP list, Gallup has been present in Oxnard and out there supporting his team as much as he can. The receiver is eager to get back with his team but seems to know that a return won’t come soon.

This isn’t the update we wanted to hear, but at least it is new information. For now, all we can hope is that he only misses one or a few games before getting back in the lineup.