Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy revealed on Tuesday that quarterback Dak Prescott was one of eight team members to have undergone offseason surgery. Upon being asked who else was on that list, the coach rattled off the names of Michael Gallup, Randy Gregory, Chauncey Golston, Brandon Smith, Darius Thompson, and Donovan Wilson.
That makes only seven.
Tight end Blake Jarwin also went under the knife in late February for a hip injury. While McCarthy downplayed the “clean-up” procedure on Prescott’s non-throwing shoulder and said the rehab won’t interfere with his participation in the team’s offseason program, Jarwin is not so lucky. He is not expected to be ready in time for the start of the 2022 season.
The tight end situation in Dallas just got messier.
Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweeted on Thursday that a source has told him that Jarwin’s hip injury “is considered very uncommon for an active NFL player.” So it may be more than just the start of Jarwin’s 2022 season that’s in doubt.
In late February, Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin underwent surgery for a hip injury that is considered very uncommon for an active NFL player, source said. He is not expected to be available for the start of the 2022 season, clouding his Cowboys future.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 3, 2022
The former Oklahoma State star caught 10 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns over the first seven games of the 2021 regular season before suffering the injury during the Halloween night win over Minnesota. He was placed on injured reserve prior to Week 9 and did not return until the regular-season finale, when he caught one ball for six yards.
Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin is believed to have injured hip Sunday on this first-quarter hit from Vikings S Harrison Smith. After undergoing an MRI this week, he is expected back in 2021. Will miss at least three games while on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/SNyLMtKXfw
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 6, 2021
Jarwin missed nearly all of the 2020 season with a knee injury; 2021 was to mark his return to prominence. Instead, backup Dalton Schultz saw his role grow exponentially during Jarwin’s absence, presumably leaving the Cowboys roster with two starting-quality tight ends heading into 2022.
But with Schultz entering free agency and expected to command a big payday based on his 2021 performance, conventional wisdom suggested that the team might let him go and simply move the 27-year-old back into his former roster spot. News of Jarwin’s surgery and long recovery time could now force a Plan B.
The Cowboys may find themselves entertaining the notion of using the franchise tag on Schultz within the next week in order to lock him up for another season as they wait for Jarwin’s prognosis to become clearer.
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports that the procedure performed on Jarwin’s hip has “only been done on hockey and basketball players,” but he notes that the team is “confident” in Jarwin’s ability to rehab.
Sean McKeon is currently the third tight end in Dallas, but has just two years of experience. Jeremy Sprinkle was used more as a blocker and is also set to become a free agent.
The Cowboys have spoken informally at this year’s scouting combine with tight ends Jalen Wydermyer from Texas A&M and Grant Calcaterra from SMU.
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