The Cowboys cut down the roster to 80 players Tuesday afternoon, and Michael Gallup did not get moved to the physically unable to perform list (PUP), which would have created a free roster spot.
Dallas has kept the possibility open that Gallup might make the initial 53-man roster and have the chance to be activated before week five. This roster cutdown deadline is in less than a week, on August 30. Gallup tore his ACL in week 17 last season but was recently seen running routes and catching passes from quarterback Dak Prescott, and per Mike McCarthy yesterday, he has had no setbacks.
I asked the question about the progress of Michael Gallup, and McCarthy does sound optimistic.
Key: There have been no setbacks for Gallup — per MM. #Cowboys ⬇️ https://t.co/ChdriPXoLt
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 23, 2022
If Gallup can stay off the list, he could return at any point and not be required to sit a least the first four games. Although not surprising, this was still a move that I kept my eye on. Gallup already ruled himself out for week one but did not go into the depth of when he might return, but staying off the PUP list could be a win for the Cowboys.
CeeDee Lamb, Noah Brown, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Simi Fehoko, and Dennis Houston is who the Cowboys have to work with until Gallup returns to the football field. Fehoko has been impressive over the last few weeks, and from what I noticed, Houston had a great camp. After the preseason game against the Chargers, Turpin will be on the roster to return kicks at the least.
Notably, the Cowboys could have placed WR Michael Gallup today on Reserve/PUP, sidelining Gallup at least the first four games. They didn't. Reserve/PUP option is at the team's disposal for another week. For now, Cowboys have preserved chance for earlier return. https://t.co/isASC4s3Zp
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 23, 2022
The young receivers will be needed to produce even after Gallup returns. Gallup will resume the WR2 role behind Lamb whenever he does come back and allow Tolbert and Brown to create favorable matchups against the defense. If the Cowboys keep Gallup on the 53-man roster next week, could we see a guy like Houston or someone similar bumped off, and if so, who would it be? I will be shocked if they don't keep every single WR in the room.
