Michael Gallup OUT; Cowboys Rookie WR Jalen Tolbert Not Ready to Help Dak Prescott vs. Bucs?

One NFL scout tells CowboysSI.com that Dallas is about to have one big problem on offense in this game and one big problem for the season.

FRISCO - "Awesome'' is the word Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore recently used to describe rookie receiver Jalen Tolbert.

But now the Cowboys have to deal with an actual "game.'' And Tolbert may not be "awesome'' enough to even suit up for it.

On Sunday night in Week 1 here at AT&T Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas will play without the services of starting receiver Michael Gallup. (See the full injury list here.)

So to the next question: Alongside CeeDee Lamb - who the Cowboys believe is about to elevate himself to the "Davante Adams/Cooper Kupp level'' - which other pass-catcher steps up?

We've already detailed in this space how Lamb may be poised to lead the NFL in targets in this Dak Prescott-led offense. And Prescott,  who is 100-percent healthy after dealing with ankle discomfort as the result of an ill-fitting shoe, will also surely target Dalton Schultz in a way that puts him among league leaders at the tight end spot.

But what about the other receivers?

One NFL scout tells CowboysSI.com that Dallas is about to have one big problem on offense in this game and one big problem for the season. The short-term issue against the Bucs? Tampa Bay's defense is designed to stuff Ezekiel Elliott and a ball-control running game.

So ... throw it to the outside receivers? Sure - but the long-term problem, according to the scout, is that Dallas is sorely short-handed there.

Is rookie Jalen Tolbert ready? We are dubious. As we have reported all week, he has been a candidate to not be in uniform today. And indeed, here at the stadium he is on the field in the "early workout group,'' generally an activity for those who will not dress.

So ...

Is veteran Noah Brown about to live up to long-held expectations? We are dubious.

Second-year guy Simi Fehoko? Undrafted rookie Dennis Houston? USFL MVP and rookie KaVontae Turpin? Somebody needs to answer the call.

Gallup is in the process of returning from a Week 17 ACL tear suffered in January, and maybe by Week 3, he solves this concern. But Sunday is arriving.

And a new wideout helper needs to arrive with it.

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