Mike McCarthy updates status of Cowboys starters on Injured Reserve

With several key players out, Dallas Cowboys fans wait anxiously for a full-strength squad. They got a boost Monday night, when head coach Mike McCarthy provide a vague, yet important injury update on several starters, including Michael Gallup.

According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys anticipate wide receiver Michael Gallup will be the first to return from injury. While he did not offer a specific timetable, he added that defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore still appear set for a longer absence.

Gallup is part of the Cowboys elite wide receiver room, which also features Amari Cooper and Ceedee Lamb. In the absence of Gallup, young reserves Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown have stepped up, offering depth on offense.

The return of Lawrence and Gallimore will be welcomed on Dallas’ much improved defense. Without the dynamic duo, Randy Gregory has stepped up, getting help from versatile rookie Micah Parsons and others up front.

Without three starters, the Cowboys have continued their run of success, improving to 5-1 heading into their bye week. The breakout season from Trevon Diggs has stolen headlines, but the balance on both sides of the ball offers postseason hopes.

More injury updates

The bye week is coming at a great time for the Dallas Cowboys. After quarterback Dak Prescott revealed a calf injury after Sunday night’s win over the Patriots, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has revealed updates on some more injuries across the team.

Prescott is expected to take the week off to recover from his calf injury. The team is optimistic that he will be ready to go when the Cowboys take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. Prescott has been great this season, throwing for 1,813 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Cowboys’ starting left tackle Tyron Smith has been dealing with both neck and ankle injuries. Smith played on Sunday and came out of the game in “good shape,” per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. Defensive lineman Brent Urban and cornerback Maurice Canady also came out of the game with injuries. Urban has a triceps injury while Canady is in the concussion protocol.

After losing in Week 1 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Cowboys have won five games in a row. Dallas sits as the clear top team in the NFC East at 5-1. After the bye week, the Cowboys have the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons on the upcoming schedule.