One of the Cowboys’ IR-return spots next week looks like it will go to Jonathan Mingo. The 2024 trade acquisition sustained a knee injury that is expected to sideline him into the regular season, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports.
It is a PCL sprain, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins, who projects a four- to six-week return timetable. Although that timeline could have Mingo ready to go before Week 5, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer indicates the former second-round pick is likely to land on IR to open the season.
Mingo is not expected to need surgery, however, Archer adds. No surgery being in the cards represents a break for Mingo, who has not justified his second-round draft status. Two seasons remain on the ex-Panthers draftee’s rookie contract, one Carolina sent to Dallas before last year’s trade deadline.
Mingo, 24, caught just five passes in eight Cowboys games. Not exactly delivering a strong rookie season, that 418-yard year — one with an overmatched Bryce Young targeting him in a disjointed offense — was certainly preferable to what transpired in 2024. The Ole Miss product totaled just 167 yards in 17 games last season, seeing his snap share drop from 56% with the Panthers to 29% with the Cowboys. With George Pickens now in the fold, Mingo’s faces a more difficult path to a regular role on offense.
The Cowboys could also opt to carry Mingo to their active roster and then place him on IR. This would keep one of Dallas’ IR-return moves from going to a backup wide receiver. While Mingo is expected to return before the season’s midpoint, the Cowboys added Pickens to supplement CeeDee Lamb. More notably for Mingo, Jalen Tolbert and All-Pro returner/auxiliary receiver KaVontae Turpin remain rostered. The duo combined for 1,030 receiving yards last season.
Using one of their two allotted IR-return slots next week on Mingo makes sense to save a roster spot, but the third-year player has not done much to justify being prioritized to such a degree. The Cowboys also have Tyler Guyton as a candidate for an IR-return slot; using both IR-return slots next week would leave the team with six regular-season injury activations. Though, Guyton may be kept on the 53-man roster in the event the second-year left tackle is deemed ready before Week 5. Mingo would be eligible to practice in Week 5 in the IR-return scenario.