As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 2 home opener against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium, a surprising development has Cowboys Nation buzzing. Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, a controversial trade acquisition from last season, appears to be making significant strides toward returning from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined.
Mingo, a former second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, suffered a PCL injury during the Cowboys’ second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. The injury landed him on the Injured Reserve (IR) list, but with a designation for return. According to DallasCowboys.com‘s Tommy Yarish, Mingo was spotted at Thursday’s practice working with the rehab group, signaling positive progress in his recovery. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that the initial recovery timetable was 4-6 weeks, and Mingo appears to be trending toward the shorter end of that timeline, potentially nearing a best-case scenario return.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jonathan Mingo celebrates against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Cowboys’ decision to trade for Mingo last November raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. In his time with the Panthers, Mingo appeared in 24 games, starting 19, but his production—55 catches for 539 yards and no touchdowns—fell short of expectations for a second-round pick. Critics pointed to his struggles with consistency as a reason to question the Cowboys’ move to acquire him. However, Dallas saw potential in the young receiver and took a chance on his athleticism and upside.
In eight games with the Cowboys last season, including one start, Mingo recorded a modest five catches for 46 yards. Despite the limited output, he showed flashes of promise, including a standout 49-yard catch in the preseason loss to the Ravens before his injury. Those glimpses of potential have kept the Cowboys’ coaching staff intrigued about what Mingo could bring to the table once fully healthy.
The Cowboys boast a formidable duo at wide receiver with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb and the dynamic George Pickens, complemented by the explosive return specialist KaVontae Turpin. However, beyond this trio, the depth at the position remains a question mark. Jalen Tolbert, another young receiver, has yet to fully cement his role in the offense, leaving room for Mingo to make an impact upon his return.
Mingo’s progress in the preseason, where he showcased his ability to stretch the field, could give the coaching staff something to consider as they look to bolster their receiving corps. His return could provide much-needed depth and versatility, especially in a competitive NFC East showdown against the Giants.
As Mingo continues his rehab, all eyes will be on his recovery timeline and how quickly he can return to game action. A healthy Mingo could add a new dimension to the Cowboys’ offense, offering quarterback Dak Prescott another weapon in the passing game. While he may not immediately challenge Lamb or Pickens for a starting role, his presence could create mismatches and open up opportunities for the offense.
The Cowboys and Giants are set to face off on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium, and while Mingo’s return may not come in time for this matchup, his progress is a promising sign for Dallas. Cowboys Nation, still skeptical about the trade that brought him to Dallas, may soon get a chance to see whether Mingo can prove his worth and silence his critics.
Stay tuned as the Cowboys look to build on their early-season momentum and integrate their returning playmaker into the fold.