The Cowboys placed Stephens (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Stephens is done for the 2024 season after suffering a left ACL tear in practice Wednesday. He missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an ACL tear in the same knee, a reality that leaves the 2023 UDFA out of Louisiana with a difficult road to recovery. He remains under contract with Dallas through the 2025 season.
Unlock the latest Dallas Cowboys news — direct to your inbox.
Status
IR - Knee - ACL - Surgery Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest John Stephens news
John Stephens Career Stats
John Stephens
Game Log
John Stephens Player Profile
Career History
John Stephens Fantasy Projections
Check back soon for fresh projections!
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.
John Stephens Latest News
Shifts to IR
The Cowboys placed Stephens (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Stephens is done for the 2024 season after suffering a left ACL tear in practice Wednesday. He missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an ACL tear in the same knee, a reality that leaves the 2023 UDFA out of Louisiana with a difficult road to recovery. He remains under contract with Dallas through the 2025 season.
Suffers ACL tear in practice
Stephens (knee) sustained a torn left ACL in Wednesday's practice and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Stephens missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL in the same knee sustained during the preseason, and he now faces another long road to recovery. The depth tight end hasn't yet suited up for a regular-season game with the Cowboys, but he remains under contract with the team through 2025.
Healthy scratch for Week 5
Stephens (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday night's game against Pittsburgh. Stephens missed the first three games of the regular season due to a hamstring injury, but he will be a healthy scratch for a second straight contests. His next chance at making his NFL regular-season debut will be Week 6 against the Lions on Oct. 13. Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford will be the Cowboys' three tight ends for Sunday's game.
Not playing Week 4
Stephens (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Giants, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Stephens missed the first three games of the regular season due to a hamstring issue, but he appears to be healthy scratch for Thursday's contest. His next opportunity to suit up will be Week 5 against the Steelers on Oct. 6. Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford will be the Cowboys' three tight ends for Thursday's game.
Past hamstring issue
Stephens (hamstring) was left off Monday's injury report, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Stephens missed the Cowboys' first three contests due to a hamstring issue, but it now appears he's moved past the injury. The 25-year-old projects to serve as Dallas' fourth-string tight end, so he will likely contribute most of his value on special teams as the season progresses.
Not playing Sunday
Stephens (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Stephens was limited in all three practices this week but he will not play Sunday, and his next chance at playing will be Thursday against the Giants. The Cowboys will roll with three tight ends Sunday in Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford.
Questionable to face Baltimore
Stephens (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Stephens was limited throughout the practice week. With Jake Ferguson due back this week, Stephens may be inactive either way. Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford are set for backup duties.
Returns to practice Wednesday
Stephens (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Stephens has been held out of the Cowboys' first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury. He hasn't been able to practice over the last two weeks, so his limited participation Wednesday is an upgrade and bodes well for his chances of making his NFL Sunday against the Ravens. Stephens is the Cowboys' No. 4 tight end behind Jake Ferguson (knee), Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford.
Still sidelined
Stephens (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports. Stephens was unable to practice last week leading up to missing the team's Week 1 win over the Browns. His absence from practice Wednesday will have him on a trajectory to miss Sunday's game against the Saints as well, especially if he is unable to practice in any form Thursday.