NFL Rumors: Cowboys FA Michael Gallup Expected to be 100% by August After ACL Injury

Veteran wide receiver Michael Gallup is expected to be back to 100 percent by August after suffering a torn ACL in January, according to Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed.

Gallup is hitting free agency this offseason after spending his first four years with the Dallas Cowboys.

The 25-year-old was limited to nine appearances in 2021. A calf strain kept him out for two months early in the campaign.

He wound up finishing with 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns. His 12.7 yards per reception represented a career low.

While the knee and calf injuries are bound to hurt his earning power, Gallup still figures to have multiple suitors on the open market. If he didn't have to share an offense with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, his career numbers (193 catches, 2,902 yards and 15 touchdowns) would probably be a little higher.

Pro Football Focus and ESPN ranked Gallup 28th and 40th, respectively, in the 2022 free-agent class.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero described re-signing Gallup as a "big priority" for the Cowboys when he reported Sunday the team is planning to have Ezekiel Elliott back. Retaining both players could squeeze out Amari Cooper, who's due to count $22 million against the salary cap.

Even though an August return date would mean he'd miss the bulk of offseason workouts, Gallup would at least be on track to take the field in Week 1.

That kind of reassurance might be exactly what Cowboys owner Jerry Jones needs to hear when weighing whether to aggressively pursue a reunion with the 2018 third-round pick.