Last Monday, many expected the return to action of catcher Michael Gallup. After undergoing surgery for the ligament injury he sustained in his left knee in mid-January, the wide receiver has been in rehab for the past several months. The process has been slow, but it is already in its final stage. It even looked like he would play the Giants in a Week 3 game. Gallup, however, didn’t feel quite ready to return.
Now, the situation may be different for the week 4 game against the Washington Commanders. This was revealed by the #13 of Dallas during a statement to the media this Wednesday. However, Gallup indicated that everything will depend on the sensations that he has in the coming days.
“We hope that”Gallup said of his potential return to action this Sunday against Washington. “I hope to have another great week (in practice). I felt good during the week, but there were some things that I needed to touch up, to feel a little more.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup (knee) said he doesn’t have any limitations, but he just didn’t feel right last weekend.
Gallup on potential return this Sunday: “I hope so. It’s been a while. Just have another good week, see what it feels like.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 28, 2022
To this, Michael Gallup added that his absence from Monday’s game in New York was his own decision. Though he’s eager to play again, the Colorado State product doesn’t want to rush him back on the field. And that’s something that goes along the same lines as the Cowboys’ coaching staff.
Gallup even confessed that he doesn’t want the same thing to happen to him as Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Recall that Godwin was in doubt for the week 1 game against Dallas, this after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury (similar to Gallup’s) that he suffered in December 2021. Despite this, Godwin played against the Cowboys, suffering a hamstring injury in that encounter. And that’s something Gallup doesn’t want to go through.
“We have a lot of games ahead of us, and I’m trying to be there all the time.”Gallup said in remarks picked up by Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. “I saw that (Godwin’s injury against Dallas) and it was tough. It makes you think differently about your recovery.”
Michael Gallup on making the decision to wait at least another week before making his 2022 debut:
“I’m trying to be out there the whole time. …I saw [the Chris Godwin injury vs #Cowboys]. …It makes you think a little differently about your recovery. I’m trying to avoid that.”
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) September 28, 2022
Despite the precautions of both player and coaching staff, Michael Gallup is looking more like himself in practice. This was revealed by Mike McCarthy, head coach of Dallas, at a press conference on Wednesday. According to the coach, the catcher made some “Gallupesque” catches during practices last week: jumping, catching the ball in the air and with his feet on the ground. A classic #13 move.
Still, Gallup knows he’s fit and ready to play. But now comes the tricky part: being mentally ready to return to action. And that’s something he didn’t feel last Monday before the game against the New York Giants.
Just talked with #Cowboys WR Michael Gallup seen here. Despite 2 padded practices and trending in the right direction he and team just thought it best he hold out of this one but the team feels “hopeful” as one source put it that he can play Sunday vs Commanders. pic.twitter.com/JBKuTGtVU3
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) September 26, 2022
“You know that you are healthy and that everything is fine, now it is only mental”Gallup said Wednesday. “You have to make sure To feellike you’re the old you. Getting to this is the hardest part. (…) I have only practiced twice with protection. Everyone else had a full training camp and all, and I just needed to feel a few more things. That is all.”
As we mentioned, both Gallup and the coaching staff have the same idea: don’t rush things. Ideally, the Cowboys can count on the young receiver for the entire season if possible. To do this, Gallup must feel 100% ready to come back, both physically and mentally.
Whether Michael Gallup makes his season debut this Sunday against the Washington Commanders remains to be seen. The trend is still positive, but it will be up to the player to decide if he is ready or not. Either way, Gallup’s comeback is drawing ever closer. And that is still good news for the Cowboys.
