Led by Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys have had one of the best passing attacks in the NFL to start the 2025 season. The unit only improved with the return of star wideout CeeDee Lamb last week. Lamb’s return gives Dallas one of the more dangerous WR duos with him and George Pickens, who has been playing better lately.
That said, this week the Cowboys are expecting third-year receiver Jonathan Mingo to return from injury. The 24-year-old suffered a sprained PCL during the preseason, causing him to miss the first seven games of the season.
On Monday, Mingo spoke about his return. "I feel great. I'm excited. Been waiting. First time I get a chance to play with Dak," he said via Jon Machota of The Athletic.
He added," I got traded last year, he was hurt. (Then) I missed 7 games this year, so I’m finally happy to go out there and play with him. We had a good connection in camp." While Mingo’s excitement is evident, his comments and the expectations that come with them have put him on notice to deliver when he steps back on the field.
Jonathan Mingo Returns to Lineup With a Chip on His Shoulder
Dallas acquired Mingo from the Carolina Panthers for a fourth-round pick at last year's trade deadline. The former second-rounder didn't live up to expectations in a season and a half with the Panthers. Mingo recorded just 55 catches on 111 targets for 539 yards with the Panthers.
Still, at the time, Dallas was looking for someone to complement Lamb. That is why Jerry Jones took a chance on Mingo, hoping to unlock his talent. In eight games with the Cowboys in 2024, the 24-year-old caught just five receptions on 16 targets for 46 yards. That was certainly not the production Jones hoped for when he made the trade, but Prescott was also injured.
However, with Prescott now healthy and slinging the ball around, Dallas hopes to get Mingo involved at the WR3 spot. Although Ryan Flournoy had a breakout in Week 5 against the New York Jets, he hasn't done much since. Meanwhile, Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin haven’t made much of an impact either, leaving a clear opportunity for Mingo to step up and make a difference.
If he is unable to show growth the rest of this season, it will not only impact his chances of being a Cowboy in 2026, but also his chances of being on any team.