Ahead of the Dallas Cowboys’ matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team ruled fourth-year wide receiver Jalen Tolbert inactive for the first time since his rookie season. Third-year wide receiver Jonathan Mingo got the active spot instead and will make his season debut.
Tolbert, 26, led the Cowboys in receiving touchdowns (seven) in 2024 and was second to CeeDee Lamb in receiving yards (610), but he has seen his role dramatically decrease in 2025 after the addition of George Pickens over the offseason and the emergence of Ryan Flournoy.
Over the last six games, Tolbert has hauled in just five receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. On the year, he has 14 receptions for 172 yards and one touchdown, all his lowest since his rookie season. He is currently sixth on the team in receiving yards behind Pickens, Lamb, Flournoy, Jake Ferguson and KaVontae Turpin.
After being activated off injured reserve on Oct. 21, the Cowboys had been seeking for an opportunity to put Mingo onto the active list. After a few disappointing performances from Tolbert, he now gets his shot after head coach Brian Schottenheimer teased it earlier in the season.
“We have a number of receivers that we’re confident in,” Schottenheimer said on Friday. “Mingo’s a guy that we’re really excited about, we want to see him play. It’s been a competitive battle between he and a couple of the guys for that last spot. It comes down to not just offense but special teams as well. My big thing for Jonathan has just been, ‘Hey, can you play all of the spots? Can you do all the different areas?’ He understands that’s kind of where he needs to go. There’s a chance he’s activated this week.”
After a disappointing rookie season, Tolbert responded with increased numbers in each of his next two seasons, including a 2024 campaign that saw him start in 15 games. However, being in the final year of his rookie contract and others moving ahead of him on the depth chart, his time in Dallas could be expiring.
After being acquired at the trade deadline in 2024 in a deal with the Carolina Panthers, Mingo is still searching for his first NFL touchdown. In eight games last season, he hauled in just five receptions for 46 yards. Sunday’s game against Philadelphia will be the first time he will play in a game alongside quarterback Dak Prescott.