John Stephens Jr.: Dallas Cowboys tight end John Stephens Jr. has suffered another unfortunate blow to his career. During Wednesday’s practice, the 25-year-old tore his ACL for the second consecutive season, effectively ending his 2024 season before he had a chance to step onto the field. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed deep disappointment, stating, “The energy just left practice when it happened. We were all looking forward to seeing what he could bring after such dedication.”

Stephens, who has battled to make an impact since joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2023, was poised for a larger role this season. After working tirelessly through last year’s ACL recovery, he caught the attention of the Cowboys’ coaching staff with his athleticism and potential as a red zone target. “We had plans to get him more involved post-bye,” McCarthy added, highlighting the team’s high hopes for Stephens after his return to training camp.

The promising tight end is the son of former NFL running back John Stephens, who earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award with the New England Patriots in 1988. While his father’s legacy looms large, Stephens Jr. has carved out his path with resilience, demonstrating that setbacks don’t define him. However, this injury will delay his regular-season NFL debut for another year.

The Cowboys now face a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, with this recent injury adding to the team’s challenges, including a high ankle sprain for star pass rusher Micah Parsons and kicker Brandon Aubrey’s brief absence due to jury duty.