Michael Gallup to break camp on 53-man roster, says Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup will open the season on the 53-man roster, according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

«We just don't want to do anything that would put him in some kind of category that would limit us from getting him in the first game,» Jones said before Wednesday's practice.

Gallup, who tore the ACL in his left knee in January and had surgery in February, already has said he would not be able to play in the Sept. 11 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, calling it «not realistic» last month. But not being placed on PUP would allow him to return later in the month.

He currently is on the active/physically unable to perform list, and if the Cowboys move him to reserve/PUP at the final cuts next week, he would be forced to miss the first four games.

Gallup started running routes last week as he stepped up his rehab.

Coach Mike McCarthy said later Wednesday that Gallup has not had any setbacks in his recovery, but he was not ready to publicly make roster decisions before Friday's preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks.

«We've got to play this last game,» McCarthy said. «There's young guys that are battling for spots, how that 53 comes together. Obviously we don't want to take away Michael's opportunity to play as soon as possible, but how that comes down at the end, that's really to be determined.»

Gallup has worked daily on his recovery with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown.

"(Brown) feels real good about Michael's progress as far as his timeline and so forth," McCarthy said. «He hasn't had any setbacks, and I hope we will continue to be blessed with that process. He's doing really well.»

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