Just as the Cowboys were starting to look like they were getting healthy coming off the bye week, a promising emerging talent has suffered a brutal setback to his young career.
Tight end John Stephens Jr. tore an ACL in Wednesday’s practice, according to a report from ESPN’s Todd Archer, who cited sources.
The 25-year-old joined the club as an undrafted free agent last spring. A wide receiver at both TCU and Louisiana, the 6-foot-5-inch Stephens was converted to tight end during his rookie training camp with the Cowboys.
While the team had high hopes for Stephens, his first pro campaign was lost to an ACL injury in the second game of the 2023 preseason.
This latest injury is to the same knee; Stephens is expected to undergo surgery and be placed once again on season-ending IR.
Cowboys TE John Stephens suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in Wednesday's practice, according to sources. He missed last year with the same injury in the same knee. Surgery upcoming. He had yet to be active for a game this season but the club liked his upside.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 24, 2024
Stephens had not been active for a game yet in 2024, but the team had positive reviews for him and his development.
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Jake Ferguson remains the starter at the position in Dallas. Behind him are Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Princeton Fant occupies a spot on the practice squad.
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