The Dallas Cowboys surprised a lot of people when they didn’t put wide receiver Michael Gallup on the physically unable to perform list heading into the regular season. Gallup tore his ACL in Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals last season, but his rehab went very well over the offseason.

Being put on the PUP list would have resulted in Gallup being sidelined for at least the first four games of the season. Dallas believed that he could return before then and they may have been correct in that assessment.

After missing the first two games of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals, it sounds like Gallup has a chance to get on the field for Monday Night Football in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

During his press conference on Wednesday, head coach Mike McCarthy offered a very encouraging update on Gallup. McCarthy said that the plan is for Gallup to take a full slate of reps this week in practice, providing him every opportunity to get ready to play.

Gallup was a limited participant in practice the first two weeks of the season, which was an encouraging sign. Now upgrading to being a full participant, there is likely a strong chance that he suits up in Week 3.

Another indication that Gallup is getting close to a return is the roster moves that the Cowboys have made. Wide receiver Dennis Houston was cut on Tuesday after playing 59 percent of the snaps in the opener and 37 percent of the snaps in Week 2. 

Getting Michael Gallup back in the mix would be a huge boost for a Cowboys offense that lost Dak Prescott to injury in Week 1. Cooper Rush led the team to a victory in Week 2, but their passing offense has struggled and could be without starting tight end Dalton Shultz this week as well. Getting CeeDee Lamb some experienced help at the wide receiver position would only help, too.