Dalton Schultz suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s victory that could knock him out of the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 3 matchup against the New York Giants.
Schultz’s knee injury occurred late in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Schultz did return to action after briefly exiting the game. On Monday, The Dallas Morning News reported that an MRI revealed a minor PCL sprain for the sixth-year tight end.
This was actually positive news for the Cowboys because had the MRI shown a more significant injury, Schultz would’ve been sidelined for a lengthy period of time. Instead, Schultz may miss a few games while recovering from the knee sprain.
This injury is a minor version of what Ezekiel Elliott dealt with last season. Elliott partially tore his PCL in Week 4, and as the season progressed the knee injury slowed Elliott down considerably.
Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan this morning and said the team will monitor Schultz’s health this week and make a determination on his availability closer to Monday night’s game against the Giants.
Schultz has nine receptions for 80 yards through the first two games of the season.
Young tight ends could get a chance to shine
If Schultz is inactive in Week 3, Dallas will look to a pair of rookies to fill in at tight end.
TE1 duties would go to Cowboys fourth round draft pick Jake Ferguson who has no receptions this season. Ferguson was on the field for just 16% of Dallas’ offensive possessions in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that number boomed to 56% in Week 2 against the Bengals.
Ferguson was known as a playmaker during his college days with Wisconsin. In four seasons, Ferguson caught 145 passes for 1,618 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Backing up Ferguson would be fellow rookie Peyton Hendershot, who the Cowboys signed as an undrafted free agent. Hendershot wasn’t in consideration to make Dallas’ 53-man roster coming into the season, but he beat out veterans Sean McKeon and Jeremy Sprinkle for the last tight end spot.
Hendershot has only played nine snaps total through the first two games this year, but was impressive in preseason. In three preseason games, Hendershot tallied six receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Michael Gallup’s potential return could ease Schultz’s absence
Gallup seems to be trending towards a return this week against the Giants. After practice yesterday, Mike McCarthy said Gallup is expected to be a full participant in practice this week and if all goes well, there’s a likelihood he suits up Monday night.
However, Gallup is expected to see limited playing time when he returns to ease him back into his usual workload. If Gallup can play, even in a limited capacity, it would give Cooper Rush another reliable target and lighten the responsibility for Ferguson and Hendershot if Schultz is inactive.
Gallup last played in Week 17 of the 2021 season. In that game, Gallup tore a ligament in his knee and has spent much of this preseason rehabbing and getting back into playing shape.
