'Kind of Weird!' Can Cowboys Count on Michael Gallup?

Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup shares his reasons for excitement ahead of Week 1's opener against the New York Giants.

NEW YORK CITY - Few stretches of the calendar come with the pent up anticipation of Week 1. With all the new faces, storylines, and narratives, football just can’t come soon enough. Even so, you won’t find many as excited for Sunday as Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup.

It’s been a long road since Gallup’s breakout 2019 season, where he caught 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. He’s dealt with a variety of ailments to his lower-half, namely a torn ACL in Week 17 of the 2021 season. It held him out of the first three games of 2022, and many felt it hindered his play all year.

Gallup seems fully healthy for the first time in years. He spoke on this week about his status and what he’s most excited about ahead of his sixth NFL season.

“It should be a good year,” Gallup said. “I feel great. Had a good camp. My body feels good. It should be a good one.”

Gallup won’t be asked to replicate his 1,000-yard season and isn’t a great bet to see the 100 targets in 2019 or 2020. That doesn’t mean he won’t make an impact. He projects to be below receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks on the pecking order, but he’s well-equipped to win at the catch point—especially if he’s in good health.

“To be honest, it’s kind of weird to say, but just being healthy,” he continued. “Last year I was thinking about trying to get over an injury. I haven’t been able to go out there and just play my game. I was always worried about something.”

His focus has turned to a date with the New York Giants on "Sunday Night Football.'' New York is starting two rookie cornerbacks, and it’s a safe bet that head coach (and new play-caller) Mike McCarthy will target them in some capacity. Gallup and Cooks will likely be put in positions to win against inexperienced defensive backs.

Sunday night’s contest will be important in getting a step ahead in a tight NFC East. Injuries elsewhere may make things difficult, but Dallas can bank on a healthy Gallup to start the year.