The Dallas Cowboys’ offense, already one of the most formidable in the league, just received a new weapon—or perhaps, a forgotten one has been rediscovered. On Tuesday, the team officially activated wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Injured Reserve, adding a new layer of intrigue and competition to a receiver room that’s been thriving in his absence. After seven weeks on the sideline with a knee injury, Mingo is back, and his return creates a fascinating puzzle for the coaching staff.
Michigan’s Trevor Keegan holds a beer in one hand and the 2023 National Championship trophy in the other during a parade.
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The Roster Shuffle: Mingo In, Keegan Out
To make room for Mingo on the active 53-man roster, the Cowboys had to make a corresponding move. That move involved placing backup guard Trevor Keegan on the Injured Reserve due to a neck injury.
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Keegan, a fifth-round pick in 2024, had a journeyman start to his career. He won a Super Bowl as a rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released and claimed by Dallas. For the Cowboys, he was active for only two games, primarily playing on special teams (18 total snaps). His placement on IR reflects the team’s improving health on the offensive line, with starters like Tyler Booker and Cooper Beebe returning to action.
The Mingo Conundrum: From “Bust” to Training Camp Standout
Jonathan Mingo’s arrival in Dallas last year was met with optimism, but his production—just five receptions in eight games—led many to label the midseason trade a “bust.” However, the narrative began to shift dramatically this past summer.
During training camp, Mingo was reportedly “one of the more consistent performers,” turning heads and putting himself on track to seize the coveted WR3 job behind stars CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Unfortunately, a strained PCL suffered before the season halted that momentum, forcing him to the IR for the first seven games.
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The New Battle for WR3: A Crowded and Competitive Field
Mingo’s return doesn’t mean he can simply pick up where he left off. The landscape of the receiver room has changed in his absence, and the competition for snaps behind Lamb and Pickens has intensified.
KaVontae Turpin: The electric return specialist has played well when utilized as a slot receiver, offering a unique speed element.
Ryan Flournoy: He stepped up admirably when CeeDee Lamb was injured, proving he can be a reliable target.
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Jalen Tolbert: The incumbent who has seen playing time but now faces increased pressure for his roster spot.
Mingo, with his size and the strong camp he had, “could take snaps from Jalen Tolbert” and immediately becomes a factor in this mix. His ability to “pick up where he left off this summer” will be the key to carving out a significant role.
The activation of Jonathan Mingo is more than a simple roster transaction; it’s a second act for a player looking to rewrite his story in Dallas. He returns not as an afterthought, but as a wildcard who was impressive enough in camp to challenge for a key role before his injury. For the Cowboys, this is a high-class problem. Having too many capable pass-catchers is a luxury that keeps everyone sharp and elevates the entire offense. The battle for the WR3 spot is now officially reopened, and all eyes will be on Mingo to see if he can transform his training camp hype into regular-season production and become the spark he was always meant to be.
