John Stephens injury update: Dallas Cowboys reveal extent of TE's knee injury

Dallas Cowboys tight end John Stephens suffered a knee injury during practice on Wednesday, seeing him pop up on the injury report. One day later, the team announced Stephens suffered a torn ACL, the second time he has suffered one in as many years.

Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke on the matter Thursday, talking about his disappointment to not have Stephens moving forward. He described the injury as a “setback” for what should be a “very bright future” for the tight end.

“I’m very disappointed,” McCarthy said. “I think, to a man, you could just feel the energy sucked out of practice at that moment. We can’t say enough about him. He’s a young man with a very bright future, but this is just another setback, unfortunately.

“It’s just the work that he’s put in. He’s here every day. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him and, frankly, we were trying to get him more work coming out of the bye week. We had plans to try and get him more involved. Just a very unfortunate injury.”

Stephens began his college career with the TCU Horned Frogs but transferred to Louisiana. He entered the 2023 NFL Draft but was not selected, eventually signing with Dallas as a free agent. Tight ends have found success with the Cowboys since Dak Prescott became the team’s quarterback and there was hope for Stephens in a reserve role.

Even so, there has not been any game time for Stephens in his NFL career yet. Working back from his original torn ACL was the goal of the offseason. Unfortunately, he will have to go through the rehab process again, on the same knee. Stephens will eventually wind up on injury reserve.