Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup is inching closer to his return to the field after suffering a torn ACL in Week 17 of the 2021 season. Gallup has seen an increase in his load during practice this week amid speculation that he might make his season debut on Monday Night Football against the rival New York Giants.
According to reports, it looks unlikely that Gallup will suit up, but he appears primed for a return to face the Washington Commanders in Week 4. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the Cowboys are expected to list Gallup as inactive.
Making matters more challenging for backup quarterback Cooper Rush, tight end Dalton Schultz will be a game-time decision, but is unlikely to play. Pelissero reported that Schultz will dress for the game and test his injured knee before the decision is made.
In a move that could indicate that the Cowboys don’t expect Schultz to be ready, tight end Sean McKeon was elevated from the practice squad ahead of the game. Will Grier was also elevated from the practice team to ensure a backup in case Cooper Rush sustains an injury.
Rush is expected to get some positive news on Monday Night with the Cowboys debut of Jason Peters at tackle. Peters is a former nine-time Pro Bowler who brings a wealth of professional experience to the position.
First-rounder Tyler Smith has been filling in at the spot after Tyron Smith suffered a severe hamstring injury that will sideline him until well into the second half of the season. It is possible that Peters and Smith will rotate or Peters could be used in other spots along the offensive line.
The Cowboys are also listing Micah Parsons as questionable, though the team has said the expectation is that the star defensive player will be ready for action. Parsons missed practice through much of the week with an illness not related to COVID-19. Parsons was at practice Saturday, but the walkthrough did not offer much opportunity to evaluate how much he participated.
The Giants are hoping to have their two top outside linebackers available for the first time this season. Both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari have been full participants in practice and are hoping to make their 2022 return against the Cowboys.
The Giants come into the game hoping to extend a two-game winning streak that has jump-started the fanbase with the best start since 2016. New head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka have quarterback Daniel Jones performing at a high level.
Jones is likely to be without wide receiver Kadarious Toney who had a knee procedure in the offseason and is dealing with a hamstring injury currently. Toney had two receptions last week for no gain in his first action.
The Cowboys officially listed three players out for the second Prime Time match of the season.
Quarterback Dak Prescott will continue to be out after suffering a fracture in his throwing thumb in Week 1. Cowboys brass hope Prescott could be active in as little as a week, but may not be available for several weeks. Also listed out for the game are safety Jayron Kearse with a knee injury and left guard Connor McGovern, who has an ankle injury.