Blake

Jarwin

Jarwin underwent a surgery for a hip injury that is “considered very uncommon” for an active NFL player, as reported in March, and was considered unlikely to be ready for Week 1. Dallas saves a little under $4 million in cap space with the move. Dalton Schultz took over as the main Cowboys tight end this season and was franchise tagged. This move will likely create more snaps for last year’s No. 3 tight end, Sean McKeon.

Schultz, coming off an impressive 78-catch season as the team’s main pass-catching tight end, was always likely to get the tag. He’ll make around $11 million in 2022. Dallas has until July 15 to sign Schultz to a long-term deal or he’ll play under the franchise tag. With Blake Jarwin’s future unclear after suffering a serious hip injury, Schultz could head into 2022 as a big part of the Cowboys’ passing attack. Schultz in 2021 ran the third most pass routes among tight ends and commanded the sixth most tight end targets, ranking tenth in yards per route run. Schultz finished as fantasy’s third highest scoring tight end; there’s little reason to believe he can’t repeat that production in 2022.

Beat writer Michael Gehlken goes as far as to say Jarwin’s Cowboys future is in question. Limited to one game by a torn ACL in 2020, Jarwin then missed half of 2021 with a hip issue. Obviously, it has not gotten better. Jarwin is signed through 2023, but going on 28, the Cowboys won’t be putting many eggs in his future basket. Jarwin’s latest health question mark comes as Dalton Schultz readies for free agency. This undoubtedly increases the odds Schultz will be re-signed. As sad as it is to say, Jarwin’s once-promising Dynasty league future is bleak.

Schultz is sure to get plenty of interest in free agency after posting 78 receptions, 808 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2021. Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce were the only tight ends to record more catches this year, and only five tight ends had more receiving yards than Schultz. Archer said Schultz and Randy Gregory are the most likely Cowboys players to be slapped with the franchise tag this offseason. Schultz, Archer said, could fetch as much money as Hunter Henry did last year, when Henry signed with the Patriots for $37.5 million over three years. Blake Jarwin, signed through 2023, would have plenty of fantasy appeal as the Cowboys’ TE1 if Schultz finds another home in the coming months.

Jarwin fell completely off the fantasy radar in 2021 but has a chance to reemerge in 2022. Dalton Schultz is a free agent, while Jarwin is signed with Dallas for another two seasons. If Schultz departs, Jarwin would be expected to operate as the Cowboys’ starting tight end and would have some later-round appeal. However, if Schultz resigns, Jarwin will be a backup tight end once again.

The Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken said Jarwin -- who’s been out since October with a hip injury -- could play as few as 20 snaps against the Eagles “to get back into game flow before the postseason.” Dalton Schultz is unlikely to see extended playing time against the Eagles.

Jarwin will be making his first appearance since Week 8 if activated. Jarwin had 15 targets in seven games before going down, but his return should help a Dallas offense that lost WR Michael Gallup (knee surgery) for the season.

Jarwin will have his 21-day practice window opened and return to limited work as early as Tuesday. With Dallas’ meaningless game against the Eagles on deck, the organization is likely prepping Jarwin for usage during the postseason. There’s a chance he’s activated on Wild Card weekend.

Jarwin has missed the last four games on IR with a hip injury. This likely doesn’t change his timetable, as Jarwin was doubtful to return in Week 13. The Cowboys still expect to get Jarwin back at some point this season.

Speaking Thursday, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Jarwin’s recovery was coming along slowly, so it’s not that much of a surprise to see Dallas place him on injured reserve. Dalton Schultz will dominate tight end snaps, routes, and targets for the Cowboys in his absence. Cowboys beat writer Michael Gehlken said the team believes Jarwin will be back this season.