When the Dallas Cowboys signed John Stephens as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL Draft, they were optimistic about his potential.

Having played wide receiver at TCU and Louisiana, he was converted to tight end and seemed poised to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

Unfortunately, he suffered a severe ACL injury during the second preseason game against the Seahawks, leading to his placement on the injured reserve list and prematurely ending his season.

This year, Stephens aimed to become a dynamic partner for Jake Ferguson, but his injury woes continued.

Reports from ESPN’s Todd Archer indicate that the 25-year-old has torn the ACL in his left knee during Wednesday’s practice. He is set to undergo surgery, which will likely conclude his season once again.

Archer noted that the Cowboys were impressed by Stephens’ potential.

During the preseason, he made a strong impression, catching all eight of his targets for 75 yards across three games.

This injury is a significant setback for Stephens, who now faces another lengthy recovery process before returning to the Cowboys.

Suffering back-to-back ACL tears in the same knee could diminish his athletic ability, making it challenging for him to earn further opportunities in the NFL.

Undrafted free agents often struggle to secure new chances if they haven’t made a significant impact in the league.

When Stephens returns next season, he will need to demonstrate his skills during workouts and minicamps to earn another shot.