Dallas Cowboys at Cardinals: What's the 'Problem' with Michael Gallup?

Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup hasn't been involved much through the first two weeks, with coach Mike McCarthy saying the lack of targets isn't due to Gallup's form.

The Dallas Cowboys have scored points in bunches in the opening two weeks of the NFL as the offense under coach Mike McCarthy is starting to get on a roll. But one player that has been left behind statistically, and noticeably so, is Michael Gallup.

Gallup was targeted just twice vs. the New York Giants (one catch, 10 yards) and twice against the New York Jets (one catch, three yards), as he has largely been on the periphery of the offense.

What's the issue here?

“We’re definitely in tune with how the ball’s being distributed, but this is not a reflection of how Michael’s playing," McCarthy said on 105.3 The Fan as Dallas preps for Sunday's Week 3 at Arizona. "I think Michael has had a really good training camp and is in a good space. But definitely, I’d love to get him more touches this week.”

A lack of targets were a conversation-piece issue for Gallup last season, and through the opening two weeks, he is again getting left behind. But is it a problem?

CeeDee Lamb (17 targets), Tony Pollard and Jake Ferguson (11 targets), and Jalen Tolbert (five targets) are all above Gallup's four targets. But if you know Gallup, you know he's unbothered by the numbers.

Gallup of the Cowboys

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

“Keep getting that W, it don’t really matter to me,” Gallup said. “Throw me the ball, I’m gonna make it right, if you don’t, and we still win? It’s good.”

McCarthy said Gallup, who last year was coming off a serious knee injury, has done everything right here, and that it has simply come down to multiple players being open simultaneously.

“I’m really pleased with how Michael’s playing,” McCarthy said. “He’s doing a lot of good things, but ball distribution is something that we’re going to talk about time and time again. These plays are set up where the ball goes to the open player, and sometimes there might be more than one open guy."

Is McCarthy hinting that he'll try and get Gallup involved against a Cardinals defense that has some injury issues and has given up, on average, 25.5 points per game? There are plenty of mouths to feed for the Cowboys, but maybe Gallup's plate will be full come Sunday.