The Dallas Cowboys are getting back two former starters this week from the injured lists. Wide Receiver Michael Gallup has been reactivated after spending eight weeks on injured reserve and Defensive Tackle Trysten Hill will finally return from an ACL injury in 2020.
Gallup suffered a calf strain in Week 1 against Tampa Bay and has been out ever since. WIth Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb to rely on, plus strong play from Cedrick Wilson as WR3, Gallup has been given plenty of time to fully recover.
Hill tore an ACL last October and missed the remainder of the season. He’s been on PUP since the start of training camp and is now ready to make his 2021 debut.
After an awful effort last week in their loss to the Broncos, the Cowboys offense should be bolstered by Gallup’s return. While there are lots of mouths for Dak Prescott to feed, he’s always had a strong chemistry with Michael and especially in clutch moments.
Some of those failed 3rd and 4th-down conversions we saw against Denver might not have happened if Prescott had had Gallup to throw to. Now the Cowboys will have all three heads of their WR monster to utilize.
Trysten Hill’s role on the defense isn’t as solidified but there’s arguably more need for him. Neville Gallimore is still out from a preseason elbow dislocation and Brent Urban is currently on IR with a triceps injury.
Dallas has enjoyed strong play from rookie Osa Odighizuwa so far in 2021 and seen contributions from guys like Quinton Bohanna and Justin Hamilton. Hill will have to prove himself worth of cutting into their snap counts, but at the very least provides another talented young body in the rotation.
After a difficult rookie year in 2019, the former 2nd-Round pick was looking much better to start last season. He started all five games and was making disruptive plays from inside before the knee injury cut things short.
Hopefully the returns of Michael Gallup and Trysten Hill help make both side of the ball stronger for the Cowboys. Tomorrow’s game against the Atlanta Falcons is now a critical one; Dallas needs to prove last week a fluke and they’re still a legitimate NFC contender.
