The Dallas Cowboys roster has been getting healthier over the month of December, as they approach a playoff berth they officially clinched the day after Christmas. In their most recent loss to the Cardinals though, the offense looked dull for three quarters, and WR Michael Gallup was lost for the season. This makes the potential return of TE Blake Jarwin that much more important, as the Cowboys activated him from IR ahead of their week 18 game in Philadelphia.
Jarwin’s ACL tear caused him to miss all of the 2020 season, opening the door for current starter Dalton Schultz to take all the reps at tight end. Another hip injury landed Jarwin on IR this season, as he was preparing to split time with Schultz. Where Schultz has continued to progress as a receiver, his blocking ability has hurt the Cowboys in the run game. Chandler Jones got the best of Schultz for the Cardinals multiple times on Sunday.
Jarwin is also known as more of a receiver than blocker, but does give the Cowboys another look in both the run and pass game. Instead of signaling to an opposing defense that a run or quick pass is coming when Terence Steele or Connor McGovern are added to the formation, Dallas can stay balanced with the threat of Jarwin on the field. Doing his best work in the middle of the field, the Cowboys have not consistently gotten the ball to Amari Cooper or CeeDee Lamb in this area.
Jarwin will be eligible to return against the Eagles, a game HC Mike McCarthy is expecting his starters to play in. While he may never fully reclaim his starting status as the primary Cowboys TE, if Blake Jarwin is healthy enough to play in a tune-up for the playoffs, it would be a great opportunity for Kellen Moore to see what the fourth-year pro can do.
