The Dallas Cowboys have been beset by injuries for what feels like the whole season. A high ankle sprain there, a concussion here, another high ankle sprain over there, the list goes on.
So, it’s a relief to get some positive injury news for once. That news came from head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who said the team is activating the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and cornerback Caelen Carson.
This means that the Cowboys will have 21 days to decide whether or not either player is healthy enough to be activated and added to the 53 man roster. If they’re not activated in that window, they’ll have to be placed back in the IR.
Mingo was rather infamously acquired from the Carolina Panthers last season for a 2025 fourth round pick. A former second round pick of the Panthers, Mingo had been underwhelming in one and a half seasons for Carolina, recording only 539 yards in 24 games.
His tenure in Dallas somehow got off to an even worse start, logging only five catches for 56 yards in eight games. The trade seemed like an overpay when it happened, and that start for his new team hardly proved that line of thinking wrong.
But, the physical traits that made him such a high pick in the first place are still there. If Mingo can get healthy and start to build a rapport with Dak Prescot, whom he never actually got to play with last season due to the quarterback’s injury, then maybe he can salvage the negative connotations surrounding the trade so far.
As for Carson, his return can’t come soon enough. While had an up and down rookie season last year, recording three coverage grades of 39.5 or lower but two of 60.8 or higher in the five games he played in, he flashed enough talent that fans and coaches alike were excited before his injury over the summer.
Now, he comes back to a cornerbacks group that has struggled mightily. While Reddy Steward has been a revelation, all of his snaps have been in the slot, whereas Carson only played on the boundaries last season.
With that in mind, Carson will likely be fighting Kaiir Elam and his 52.9 coverage grade for snaps. Ideally, that’s a battle that Carson should win with ease.
While neither of these players are probable to play a large role, it’s good to see the Cowboys getting some positive injury news for once. Now, if they can start getting news like that about their more prominent players, than perhaps they can start making some noise in the standings.