The Dallas Cowboys had another disappointing exit in the playoffs with their 19-12 loss in the Divisional Round to the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 22. Now, the focus for the Cowboys turns to trying to finally get over the hurdle in the 2023 NFL season.
In order to do that, Dallas will likely need a more productive season from Michael Gallup, the team’s No. 2 wide receiver (alongside No. 1 wide receiver CeeDee Lamb). And on Tuesday, Gallup underwent surgeries on his knee and ankle.
According to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, Gallup underwent arthroscopic surgeries on his knee and ankle. Gehlken notes that the “scopes give Gallup his best chance of a healthy 2023.”
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup underwent an arthroscopic procedure today to his right knee and right ankle, two people with knowledge of situation said. Scopes give Gallup his best chance of a healthy 2023, as he’s further removed from ACL tear to left knee.https://t.co/3TfN9a85Qs
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 1, 2023
The hope is that Gallup will be healthy for offseason football activities in April.
Gallup suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 of the 2021 season (on Jan. 2, 2022) while catching a touchdown pass. He didn’t return until Week 4 of the 2022 season.
Michael Gallup with a crazy catch for the Cowboys TD! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/1aQjHkkn6E
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 3, 2021
Despite the ACL injury, the Cowboys signed Gallup to a five-year, $57.5 million deal in March 2022. Dallas didn’t get quite the production they hoped for from Gallup in 2022, with the Colorado State product finishing the season with 39 receptions for 424 yards and four touchdowns. In the loss to the 49ers, Gallup didn’t catch any of the three passes Dak Prescott threw his way (then again, Prescott was quite inaccurate in the loss).
Gallup was an excellent big-play weapon for the Cowboys in 2019 and 2020, averaging over 62 receptions and 975 yards, and totaling 11 touchdown over those two seasons.
2023 — his age-27 season — will be a huge year for Gallup’s career, and it could go a long way to determining his long-term future in Dallas. The Cowboys have a potential out in Gallup’s contract in 2024.
