Cowboys Week 7 stock report: Michael Gallup needs to step up

Stock up: Dalton Schultz, Tight End

Playing on the franchise tag this year, Dalton Schultz has had a couple of months to forget. He injured his knee in the Week 2 win over Cincinnati and then missed Week 3. He returned for a couple of games but had no receptions against the Commanders or Rams before sitting out Week 6 against the Eagles.

Back in action on Sunday, he had a solid outing with five receptions for 49 yards. It wasn’t a breakout performance but it was a building block — and more importantly, he survived another scare. During the first quarter, Schultz was tackled by Alex Anzalone and his knee was bent as he went to the turf. He then headed to the sideline but was able to return and continued to produce.

The fact that he caught all five targets and shook off a knee injury was huge for him as he hopes to salvage the remainder of the season.

Stock down: Michael Gallup, WR

When the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper, it showed not only their belief in CeeDee Lamb but also Michael Gallup. While Lamb is the No. 1 guy, Gallup was the one who earned a long extension and is supposed to be the savvy veteran to lean on.

He missed the first three games of the season before catching two passes for 24 yards and a touchdown against Washington in Week 4. He followed that up with 44 yards on four catches against the Rams and reminded us all how good he can be when hauling in the difficult catches.

Unfortunately, things have been trending in the wrong direction since then. He had two catches for 18 yards on seven targets in Week 6 and followed that up with no receptions on two targets this weekend. One of those targets hit him in the hands and then bounced into his facemask before being knocked to the ground.

Gallup is recovering from a torn ACL so expecting him to be at 100 percent might be a bit optimistic. Having said that, they need him to make the catches that hit him in the hands in order to take pressure off of Lamb.

He should be able to get back on track but needs to start making some plays before we can say the arrow is pointing up again.