The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the league’s most unlucky teams when it comes to player injuries through the league’s first few weeks. One player who Dallas is hoping could reverse that trend is wide receiver Michael Gallup. Gallup has been working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last season and could make his 2022 debut this week against the New York Giants. Let’s take a look at his status heading into Week 3.
Update: According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Michael Gallup will be inactive tonight against the Giants.
Is Michael Gallup playing today?
Gallup is officially listed as questionable on Dallas’ Week 3 injury report. The team chose not to place him on injured reserve before Week 1, a move that would’ve mandated a four-game absence, with the anticipation that he’d be ready before Week 5. According to PFN’s Aaron Wilson, Gallup is on track to play for Monday Night Football against the Giants. Exactly what role Gallup could have in his first game back from injury is a question we likely won’t have the answer to until kickoff comes Monday night.
Gallup initially suffered a torn ACL during the team’s 2021 season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. He went down hard on his left knee while securing a touchdown grab and had surgery later in the year. Despite the injury, Dallas signed Gallup to a five-year, $57 million extension, signaling the team’s confidence in the talented wideout’s ability to make a full recovery.
Should fantasy managers start Gallup in Week 3?
Fantasy football managers should only start Gallup if desperate this week. While he’s sure to be a focal point of the passing attack once he’s fully integrated into the offense, Gallup is likely to start his season on a snap count. It would make sense for Dallas to be cautious with one of its top weapons as he makes his way back from a serious knee injury.
That being said, if Gallup comes out swinging in Week 3, he should be in immediate consideration for Flex or WR3 spots in your starting lineup thereafter. Though Noah Brown has impressed in spurts, the Dallas offense has been hungry for a reliable weapon opposite CeeDee Lamb, and Gallup has already shown in past seasons that he can produce when called upon.