The Dallas Cowboys had high hopes when they signed John Stephens as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft.
Having played wide receiver at TCU and Louisiana, he was converted to tight end and was looking to make the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious ACL injury during the second preseason game against the Seahawks, resulting in his placement on injured reserve and an early end to his season.
This year, he hoped to complement Jake Ferguson effectively, but his injury woes continued. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that the 25-year-old tore the ACL in his left knee during practice on Wednesday. He is expected to undergo surgery, which will likely conclude his season.
As Archer mentioned, the Cowboys saw potential in Stephens. During the preseason, he displayed his skills, catching all eight of his targets for 75 yards over three games.
This injury is a major setback for Stephens, who now faces another lengthy rehabilitation process before rejoining the Cowboys. Back-to-back ACL injuries in the same knee could impact his athleticism, making it difficult for him to find additional opportunities in the NFL.
Undrafted free agents with little NFL experience often face challenges in securing new chances. When Stephens returns next season, he will likely need to demonstrate his abilities in workouts and minicamps to earn another opportunity.
