The Dallas Cowboys first padded practice came at a cost as reserve tight end Princeton Fant has suffered a season-ending knee injury. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed an initially feared diagnosis that the fourth-year tight end tore his ACL and partially tore his MCL.
He will have surgery at a later date, but the fourth-year veteran’s road ahead is now centered on an extensive rehabilitation process and recovery, putting his immediate future on hold.
Initial reports confirmed Fant would undergo further testing, including an MRI, to determine the severity of the injury.
Fant was engaged in a blocking rep on a running play against edge Sam Williams when he suffered the injury, immediately falling onto the ground. He remained down for several moments before being helped to the sideline and eventually carted off, unable to put weight on his left leg.
Fant entered the league as a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Tennessee and has spent the last three seasons in Dallas working towards a permanent roster spot. He had appeared in 11 career games but has yet to catch a regular season pass.
Dallas maintains depth at tight end with Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford headlining. Fant was in competition with Luke Schoonmaker along with UDFAs Michael Trigg and DJ Rogers. Fant’s absence thins the unit’s overall versatility.
Repetitions that would have gone to Fant will now have to be redistributed, potentially accelerating the developmental timeline for others. Fant will move to the IR list, opening up a roster spot for a new addition who will try and make his mark and impress the coaching staff.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys suffer first season-ending injury, TE out for year with ACL
Reporting by Angel Torres, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Angel Torres, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
