The Dallas Cowboys are 1-2-1 with a wacky initial schedule to the season, with the latest 40-40 tie in overtime against the Green Bay Packers. The team has had drama on and off the field. But Jalen Tolbert finds himself unexpectedly in the limelight. With CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin out with injury, Dallas looks at Tolbert to make an impact in a desperate situation.

Tolbert’s performance in an overtime win against the Packers. The third-year wide receiver had a 34-yard catch that set up a winning overtime field goal. By Next Gen Stats, the pass had a mere 7.2% chance of being completed, one of the lowest such probabilities since 2017.

”This is something you practice, you dream about, you think about all the time, you envision yourself making plays like that,” Tolbert said afterward. ”And so, when it comes, it’s easy for you to do it.” His words were fitting for the situation, a reminder of the effort behind the play.

With his life, Tolbert’s ascent is about more than one catch. “Opportunities will come, and I know what I’m going to do with the opportunities,” Tolbert said.

In the Cowboys’ first three games collectively, he had a combined six receptions. Across from the Packers alone, he ended with four receptions for 61 yards, two of which made first downs. To him, his role is outside of receptions, whether he’s blocking, running routes that clear receivers, or even special teams, where he found a niche in 2023.

“I’m always needed in a sense,” Tolbert explained. “And like I said, that’s just whatever role I have that week for practice, that date, that game, that week, whatever it is, whatever that role is, I’m needed in some form or fashion.” His attitude is a model of maturity and being willing to be of service wherever Dallas requires him.

Tolbert’s consistent growth has been years in the making. A third-round selection in 2022, the South Alabama career leader got off to a slow start, getting used to the NFL’s speed. Tolbert began to show it off in 2023, and last season, he delivered with seven touchdown receptions, tops on the club.

With veteran receiver Brandin Cooks out of state, Tolbert set himself up for a potentially expanded role, one that might have him joining the Cowboys’ upper echelon of receiving threats.

Brian Schottenheimer on Jalen Tolbert

Tolbert has performed fantastically on the field, no doubt about it. But his route to getting there has not been free of hitches. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted that the receiver has survived enough abuse since reporting to the league.

Schotty opened up about Jalen Tolbert’s journey this season, praising the receiver for handling unexpected setbacks with resilience. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that he’s been through a lot,” Schottenheimer said. “He came in here having visions that he was going to be the No. 2 [wide receiver] and then the trade happened with George [Pickens], and [KaVontae Turpin] begins to develop. And so, he’s been challenged quite a bit.”

The Cowboys sent a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick, immediately shaking up Tolbert’s role. Schottenheimer recalled a tough conversation after the move, noting, “But that’s what we do. We have a hard conversation, and you say you’re still very valuable to this football team. It just might be in a different style some weeks. And then other weeks you’re the next man ready to roll.”

The trade has already paid dividends for Dallas. In four games, Pickens has proven his worth, hauling in 21 catches on 33 targets for 300 yards and four touchdowns. He’s found the end zone against the Giants and Bears and delivered a career-best showing against the Packers with 134 yards and two scores.

For Tolbert, however, the transaction wasn’t a reason to sulk but rather a motivator. “Honestly, it was just fuel to the fire,” he admitted. He explained how he worked through camp struggles, leaned into helping Pickens develop, and sharpened the finer details of his game instead of retreating.

That unselfish approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Dak Prescott praised Tolbert’s leadership, saying, “There’s nobody out there helping George more than he is right now. And that is the best part to see as a quarterback. Understanding how challenging that was for him personally. And he’s out there helping [Pickens] in any moment and any time he needs it. And that’s why he’s going to reap the success. It’s just because he does it the right way.”

Schottenheimer echoed the sentiment, calling Tolbert’s commitment ‘special’. This is a proof that even in a changing depth chart, his value to the Cowboys runs deeper than just box scores.