Preseason Week 2 brings promising update for Cowboys WR Michael Gallup

In Week 17 of the 2021 season, acrobatic Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup went up for a touchdown grab in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals. He made the catch, but the excitement of the touchdown was incredibly short-lived when Gallup was seen clutching his knee, barely able to get up.

Just weeks before the Cowboys were hoping to make a deep playoff run, one of their best receivers was out with an ACL tear.

Gallup got surgery on his knee in early February and has been rehabbing and doing everything he can to get back ever since. ACL surgery and recovery can take up to 10 months, but every athlete is different.

Despite his injury, the Cowboys gave Gallup a five-year, $62.5 million extension. Since then, fans have been wondering just how long the receiver will be out. A week? A month? Half the season?

When asked about Gallup’s progress throughout the offseason the coaching staff and front office members continued to give the typical “he’s doing great” and “he will get there.” But no actual timeline was given. It wasn’t until late July that we heard some kind of legitimate update, and it came from Gallup himself.

At training camp, the 26-year-old told reporters that playing Week 1 wasn’t a realistic possibility.

Gallup has been present for workouts and is there doing band work and cheering on his teammates, but can’t fully participate given he is on the PUP list. However, after Thursday’s joint practice with the Chargers, the receiver gave fans something they’d been wanting to see for a while.

The WR was on the practice field running routes and catching passes from Dak Prescott for the first time since January 2.

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup seen running routes and catching passes from Dak Prescott after practice

This is an excellent site to see. Michael Gehlken and Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News were the first to report the Gallup update.

Apparently, the receiver was told on Wednesday that he was finally ready for this next stage of his recovery. He even said he had a hard time sleeping the night before because he was so excited to get back o work. learned Wednesday that he would graduate to this step in his rehabilitation and said that his excitement made sleeping difficult that evening.

When the reporters asked the Cowboys WR how it felt to get back on the turf and runs some routes, Gallup said “it felt great” to be back out there for the “first time in a long time.”

According to the article in the Dallas Morning News, Gallup was excited about making this critical step forward and also mentioned that he feels like he is making significant progress every day. While he may not be ready for Week 1, the critical thing will be whether or not he starts the season on the reserve/PUP list.

If he is on the list, he will have to sit at least four games. If he isn’t, the receiver is free to join the team whenever he is ready.

“It just feels like I’m progressing,” Gallup said. “Getting better every day. Every day.”

Hopefully, Gallup will continue to improve and get back to the WR room as quickly as possible.