Getty Cowboys TE Sean McKeon (84)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon suffered an apparent right ankle injury during Friday’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest — an ominous sign.
According to media reports, McKeon was “noticeably limping” after the injury, which occurred in the second quarter, and “needed a cart to help him get to [the] locker room.”
McKeon, a 2020 undrafted free agent, recorded one catch for eight yards prior to exiting. He had been pushing for the No. 3 TE role behind Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz, who’s also sidelined with an ankle issue.
“[He’s] taking the second-year leap … He’s had a heck of an offseason,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said on July 28.
Several Cowboys beat writers, almost in unison, were quick to note McKeon’s impressive summer.
“I’d go as far as to call McKeon a roster lock, that’s how solid he’s looked in camp and that’s how much I think the coaches like him,” tweeted David Helman of the team’s official website.
“He’s been having an excellent training camp,” tweeted Jon Machota of The Athletic.
“Sean McKeon has had a good camp…This is disappointing,” tweeted Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“He had firm grasp of No. 3 tight end job,” tweeted Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
“Looks like a right ankle injury for Sean McKeon, which is too bad. Was having a really good camp and preseason,” tweeted Todd Archer of ESPN.
McCarthy should provide an update on McKeon’s immediate status at the conclusion of the game.
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Background on McKeon
Signed by Dallas following last year’s draft, McKeon appeared in 14 games as a rookie and failed to log a reception across 65 offensive snaps. He received significantly more special-teams snaps (138) under coordinator John Fassel.
The Michigan product, as mentioned, was in the midst of a terrific training camp. FanSided recently spotlighted the 6-foot-5, 246-pound TE among the standouts in Oxnard.
Lost in the Jarwin and Schultz focus is the fact second-year tight end Sean McKeon is putting up a not-so-quiet performance at camp himself In fact, we recently named his one-handed touchdown catch the second-best play of training camp so far. That’s high praise considering how much wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has dominated that category this summer.
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Other Injury News
Friday’s contest at Arizona devolved into a body-bag affair for the Cowboys, who lost defensive lineman Neville Gallimore (elbow) and offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe (knee) in addition to McKeon.
The Gallimore issue is especially concerning; NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the “promising” sophomore defender sustained left elbow hypertension and was “in a lot of pain.” Gallimore is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday that will determine his prognosis.
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Follow Zack Kelberman on Twitter: @KelbermanNFL