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Cowboys TE Is Already on the Chopping Block Ahead of Training Camp

The Dallas Cowboys will report to Oxnard, California, on July 21 for training camp to officially kick off the Brian Schottenheimer era.

They've made changes to both sides of the ball and look to redeem themselves after a disappointing 7-10 campaign.

Report: Cowboys' John Stephens Jr. tore his ACL at Wednesday's practice -  NBC Sports

Guys will need to impress the coaching staff to solidify their spot on the 53-man roster.

That said, one tight end who needs to step up, or risk being cut by the end of the summer, is John Stephens Jr.

John Stephens Jr. Is on Thin Ice for Cowboys

Stephens joined Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2023 after playing at WR during his college career at TCU and Louisiana. Despite being on the team for the last couple of years, he's suffered two torn ACLs, ending both his 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

Role Call: John Stephens Jr. Brings Size & Redzone Ability

The Cowboys have kept him signed while he rehabbed, but things aren't looking good this time around.

Dallas has Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Brevyn Spann-Ford ahead of him on the depth chart.

The biggest winner of the offseason so far is Spann-Ford, who received some first-team reps in minicamp before going back to the second and third team.

They also used a 2023 second-round pick on Schoonmaker, and the front office has high hopes for him, considering they used a top-60 asset to draft him. As for Ferguson, he's the clear starter going in 2025 and has shown he can be a reliable outlet in the passing attack. These three pass catchers have traits and tools that Dallas believes can blossom.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver John Stephens Jr. (49) celebrates scoring a  touchdown during an NFL football

Meanwhile, Stephens Jr. is coming off two major knee injuries, and the coaching staff who brought him in is no longer around. He's starting from scratch and is behind the eight ball.

In his college career, he reeled in 41 catches for 665 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-5, he has the size to be a good red-zone target.

Despite having the size that could make him an appealing target, he's No. 4 on the depth chart. The three guys ahead of him with NFL experience have shown the team enough to keep them excited.

The same can't be said for Stephens Jr., making him a massive question mark going into training camp.

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Dan Campbell Reveals Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Injury Update and Praises His “Extraordinary Will” After 44–30 Win Over Cowboys
Detroit, Michigan – After the fiery 44–30 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Dan Campbell entered the press room with a mixture of relief and pride. It wasn’t just because the Lions kept their momentum heading into the end of the season — it was also because of positive news regarding star Amon-Ra St. Brown. Campbell confirmed that the ankle injury that had the entire team worried all week is actually only minor and will fully recover in one to two days. Campbell said St. Brown was nearly listed as out before the game, yet he still appeared in the lineup and played at an intensity no different from someone completely healthy. That, according to Campbell, perfectly reflects St. Brown’s true nature. No quitting, no complaining, and always ready to fight for Detroit. In a game with huge playoff implications, that performance became even more valuable. When asked about St. Brown’s spirit, Campbell couldn’t hide his pride. He shared with deep emotion about his player’s tireless fighting mentality. “His will is completely different. He never accepts taking a step back, no matter how much his body hurts. St. Brown is the one who sets the standard for us every day, and no one can replace that spirit.” Those words left the entire press room silent for a few seconds. On the field, St. Brown continued to prove his worth with six catches for 92 yards, becoming the focal point of the Lions’ offense. His presence not only opened opportunities for teammates but also gave Jared Goff confidence in critical moments. Those efforts came from a player who, just hours before kickoff, was still undergoing constant medical checks to determine if he could play. Campbell closed the press conference with a clear message that the win over the Cowboys wasn’t just about tactics or talent — it was about the fighting spirit of players like St. Brown. The news that his injury is only a minor issue allowed the entire team to breathe a sigh of relief. And if the Lions truly want to go far this season, the image of St. Brown rising above the pain will be the inspiration for the whole team on the road ahead.