Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo marks his long-awaited NFL return this season with the Dallas Cowboys against the Denver Broncos. He sustained a sprained posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee during a preseason matchup and entered the year on injured reserve. While speaking to Jon Machota of The Athletic, the wide receiver confessed his excitement about Dak Prescott. 

Jonathan Mingo said, “I feel great. I’m excited. Been waiting. First time I get a chance to play with Dak. I got traded last year. He was hurt. (Then) I missed 7 games this year, so I’m finally happy to go out there and play with him. We had a good connection in camp.”

Before the injury, Mingo had one reception for 49 yards against the Baltimore Ravens during the preseason. Injuries hampered the possibility of getting along with Dak Prescott, who was out due to an injury last season. Jonathan Mingo moved to Dallas in early November last season. However, Cooper Rush and Trey Lance were the ones slinging passes to the former Carolina Panthers wide receiver. He caught five passes on 16 targets for 46 yards in eight games with Dallas last season. 

Mingo put in a lot of reps with Prescott during this year’s training camp. He appeared in 1-on-1 portions and deep-ball exercises, attracting notice with his stature and pace.

Prescott and Mingo together give the Cowboys’ passing approach a fresh perspective. Dallas needs vertical threats in addition to their proven receivers, and the duo’s enhanced cooperation aligns perfectly. 

With the WR room looking complete, as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens already making waves. The wide receivers share a strong connection with Dak Prescott. And a similar perception from Mingo provides an opportunity for the Cowboys to grab the win at Denver.

Mingo returns to elevate Dallas’ offense

The Dallas Cowboys’ receiving unit is strengthened by the active return of  CeeDee Lamb. After missing three games due to a severe ankle injury, Lamb is back. So far this season, he has caught 21 passes for 332 yards and one touchdown in four games.

According to ESPN, Lamb said, “I feel like that’s why we took an extra week just to make sure that I had that comfort, same explosiveness, and the same stability.”

Pickens currently is tied for second place in the NFL in terms of TDs and fourth in terms of yards after catching 36 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns. Their return proves a key time for quarterback Dak Prescott. During his seven starts, Prescott has passed for 1,881 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. With 24 total touchdowns and 1,922 passing yards this season, the Cowboys’ offense is playing at a better level.

With Mingo’s return, the receiver corps will be even more strengthened. Mingo’s 21-day practice window, which opened on October 1, 2025, is set to expire around October 22. The wide receiver is expected to be activated to the Cowboys’ active roster during the week of October 20, per team reports.

Once cleared, Mingo will join an already deep wide receiver room, where he’ll need to reestablish his rhythm and timing with the offense. Consistency will be key if he hopes to carve out meaningful playing time in his return.

Prescott has two threats now that Lamb and Pickens are both available. The roster change of Mingo improves the vertical game, eases the pressure on tight ends and mid-field targets, and gives the Cowboys offense momentum with more one-on-one matchups.