Worry for Cowboys WR After Injury in Ravens Loss

Injury Raises Concerns for Cowboys' Wide Receiver Depth

During the Dallas Cowboys' preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, receiver Jonathan Mingo made a strong early impression before suffering an injury that has raised concerns about his availability. The incident occurred when Mingo attempted to catch an errant pass from Joe Milton III in the end zone. He landed awkwardly and immediately limped toward the sideline, heading straight to the medical tent. Shortly after, the team announced that he would be ruled out of the game.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys are worried that Mingo may have suffered an injury to his right knee’s posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). While it is not currently believed to be a season-ending injury, Mingo could miss several weeks. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed in his post-game press conference that Mingo will undergo further testing on Sunday to determine the extent of the damage.

Mingo had already shown promise in the game, recording one catch for 49 yards on four targets before the injury. However, his performance in the previous week was less impressive, as he was held without a catch on one target. His injury now casts uncertainty over his role in the upcoming season.

Cowboys’ Wide Receiver Depth Takes a Hit

CeeDee Lamb remains the star of the Cowboys’ receiving corps. As a former first-round pick, he has consistently been a key player, with four consecutive seasons of over 1,000 yards. In 2023, he recorded 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, his production dipped last year due to quarterback Dak Prescott missing the final nine games of the season.

To add more playmaking options around Lamb, the Cowboys acquired WR George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Steelers upgraded by acquiring D.K. Metcalf, the Cowboys still believe Pickens can serve as a reliable WR2 next to Lamb. His physical style and ability to win in one-on-one situations make him a valuable asset.

Rounding out the depth chart are Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin. Tolbert, a third-round pick in 2022, made an impact in his third season with 49 catches, 610 yards, and seven touchdowns. Turpin, primarily a return specialist, also contributes on offense with 31 receptions for 420 yards and two touchdowns in the previous season.

Mingo was expected to fit into this rotation behind Lamb and Pickens, but his injury has thrown plans into disarray. His skill set is similar to Pickens, offering another outside receiver who can excel in deep routes and jump ball situations.

Jonathan Mingo Poised for Role in Cowboys’ Offense

Mingo was a high second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers but never fully established himself there. He had a solid rookie season with 43 receptions for 418 yards but struggled in his second year. Over his time with the Panthers and the Cowboys last year, he totaled just 17 catches for 167 yards.

The Cowboys were impressed with Mingo’s performance during training camp and considered him a strong candidate for a WR4 or WR5 role, with additional responsibilities on special teams. However, if he is sidelined for an extended period, he may start the season on injured reserve, which would complicate the team's offensive strategy.

With Mingo’s injury, the Cowboys now face an uncertain future for their wide receiver depth. The team will need to rely more heavily on existing players while hoping for a quick recovery from Mingo.