Cowboys not putting Michael Gallup on PUP list should give fans hope
Despite suffering an ACL tear in Week 17 of the 2021 season, the Dallas Cowboys gave wide receiver Michael Gallup a lucrative five-year, $62.5 million contract extension to remain a part of the receiving corps.
Since then, fans have been hoping and praying that Gallup will be back and ready to go sooner than later. The first wave of good news came after last week’s joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers when Gallup was seen on the field running routes and catching passes from Dak Prescott — an excellent sign.
This Tuesday, a decision by the Cowboys could mean more hope for the 26-year-old WR. Not only was Tuesday the day that teams needed to cut rosters from 85 to 80 players, but it was also the first day that franchises could put players on the Reserve/PUP list. We saw Dallas’s rival in the Washington Commanders put their star defender Chase Young on the PUP list.
The significance of a player being assigned to the PUP list at this time is that it means he is forced to sit the first four games of the season. There are no exceptions.
We could just be being overly positive, but that may mean that the Cowboys think there is a possibility that Gallup could be ready before Week 4. The fifth-year receiver has already ruled himself out of Week 1, but a return timetable hasn’t been elaborated on since then. If Dallas believes he can be good to go anytime within the first four weeks, they’d be wise to keep him off that list.
When asked about Gallup’s progress yesterday, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that he hasn’t had any setbacks and is doing well. Britt Brown, the director of rehabilitation for Dallas, shared the same sentiment.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said director of rehabilitation Britt Brown “feels really good” about WR Michael Gallup’s progress in ACL rehab. Been no setbacks. “He’s doing really well.” Gallup could’ve been placed today on Reserve/PUP, sidelining him first four games. He wasn’t.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 23, 2022
The Cowboys choose to keep WR Michael Gallup off the PUP list, hinting he may be back before Week 4
The PUP list has some very new and intricate rules this year. Technically, the Cowboys could just be buying themselves time. Although Tuesday was their first chance to put Gallup on the list, it isn’t their last. The team has six more days until they have to reveal the 53-man roster and finalize their PUP designations.
Dallas very well could have moved Gallup and freed up a roster spot, and it probably would’ve made logical sense given how late in the season he tore his ACL. But, they didn’t. It’s possible they are just waiting until the very last moment to get the most up-to-date info on his recovery, but we just don’t know.
Once next Tuesday hits, a player either needs to be on PUP or they will take a spot on the 53-man roster. If Gallup starts the season on the 53-man roster, he can be activated at any time before Week 5.
This decision could be an attempt to buy time, but it also could mean the return of Gallup is sooner than we once thought. Jerry Jones even confirmed that the plan was to keep him off the PUP list in today’s pre-practice press conference.
