Michael Gallup successfully ‘makes statement’ in 2022 Cowboys debut

Exactly nine months to the day after tearing his ACL while miraculously securing a touchdown in Week 17 of the 2021 season, Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup made his 2022 debut at AT&T Stadium.

The receiver admitted that he had jitters before the game, but also said that he had been envisioning getting back into the end zone since his injury. Between pre-surgery downtime to reduce swelling and a long stretch of rehab after his mid-February surgery, Gallup had a lot of time to mentally reflect on getting back in the game.

He may have been nervous, but he also told reporters that he knew he “needed to make a statement.” The 26-year-old didn’t want to just be back on a limited snap count. He wanted to show why he was worthy of the five-year, $62.5 million extension he signed in the offseason while recovering from his injury. Dallas took a chance on him and he knew had something to prove.

That’s exactly what he did.

In around 40 offensive snaps on Sunday, Gallup had a nine-yard touchdown, drew two pass interference penalties (totaling 65 yards), and made multiple catches to help give his team their second win in the NFC East.

Michael Gallup’s Cowboys teammates expected him to be great in Week 4 return against Commanders

Returning from a severe knee injury such as the one Gallup had isn’t easy. Some players don’t look the same as they were before, especially in their first game back. However, Gallup’s teammates weren’t surprised at all to see what they saw on Sunday.

Cooper Rush was excited to see Gallup meet the high expectations. Here’s a quote from Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News:

"“It’s exactly what you would expect from him. He looked like Mike Gallup.Big-time player, and I’m really happy for him. It was big for him to go back out there and say, ‘I’m still Michael Gallup,’ by making plays, and that’s really going to help us.”"

Another teammate who certainly knows what it’s like to sit out and rehab from an injury, Dak Prescott, also wasn’t shocked by Gallup’s comeback performance:

"“Honestly, what I expected. I’ve seen a guy who was rehabbing over the past few months, knowing what he puts into this, how much he cares, and then seeing him the last few weeks at practice, knowing he was going to go out there and be the same MG he always has been. Just for him to go out there and put it to fruition, having the touchdown, drawing the penalties.I think it’s huge for him. I think it’s huge for his confidence. He might tell you — I don’t know — but I bet that buried the injury for him.”"

The wide receiver’s teammates seemed satisfied, but was he? You’d think 40 snaps for the first time playing contact football in nine months would be a big accomplishment, but Gallup wants more.

“I could’ve had two [touchdowns],” Gallup said when asked if he was satisfied with his 2022 debut.

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