Wide receiver returns to practice, bolstering depth. A sidelined starter is nearing active roster status, fueling postseason aspirations.
The Dallas Cowboys have been able to keep their heads above water in the standings, sitting at second place in the NFC East with a 3-3-1 record. Those efforts have largely been fueled by Dak Prescott and the offense.
For a large part of the year, that offense was playing with one hand tied behind its back as multiple offensive linemen have missed time (the team famously only had one opening day starter along the offensive line in their Week 5 win over the New York Jets) and CeeDee Lamb missed three games due to a high ankle sprain.
But those players are slowly returning, as both Lamb and Tyler Booker returned from injuries in Dallas’ Week 7 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders. With Booker back, only one offensive lineman, center Cooper Beebe, remains out.
With that in mind, it appears that Beebe is close to returning as well, as the team opened up his 21-day practice window on Wednesday. Dallas will have three weeks to either move him to the active roster or return him to the IR for the rest of the season.
In Beebe’s absence, Brock Hoffman has filled in admirably, posting a 60.0 overall grade to go with 60.5 and 54.3 marks in run blocking and pass blocking respectively. That includes giving up one sack five starts, although he did have two separate games where he allowed four pressures.
For as well as Hoffman has performed, the team will welcome Beebe back with open arms. In the meantime, Hoffman will go back to providing valuable depth in the event of another injury.
In addition to Beebe’s return to practice, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo has been moved to the active roster after being activated from his own 21-day practice window. Mingo came over from the Carolina Panthers in an infamous trade last season, struggling upon joining Dallas to the tune of only five catches for 56 yards in 8 games.
It’s worth noting, of course, that Mingo came over after Prescott had already suffered a season-ending injury, giving hope that he may produce more with the franchise quarterback at the helm. But, with the emergence of Ryan Flournoy and the addition of George Pickens, Mingo is likely the sixth receiver on the depth chart, raising questions about his ability to carve out a role.
Nonetheless, Dallas will welcome the return of both a healthy Mingo and Beebe, even if the former is only a depth piece. After all, it’ll be all hands on deck if the team is going to steer this ship into the postseason.