Key Facts
- Player
- Princeton Fant, 27, tight end
- Injury
- Torn ACL and partial MCL tear in left knee
- Date of injury
- Monday, August 3, during practice
- Status
- Will undergo season-ending surgery
- Cowboys camp start
- Last Wednesday, July 29
Background
Princeton Fant, 27, signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2023. Over three seasons, he has appeared in 11 games, primarily on special teams.
Fant is the cousin of New Orleans Saints tight end Noah Fant. His injury occurred during a full-pads team period on Monday, August 3, when he took a knee-on-knee hit to his left leg after being blocked backward into running back Israel Abanikanda.
Current Situation
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that Fant suffered a torn ACL and a partial tear of his MCL. Fant was unable to put weight on his leg and was taken off the field on a cart.
This is the first significant injury for the Cowboys since they began training camp last Wednesday, July 29. Other players, including safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson, have missed practice due to minor injuries but are expected to return soon. Cornerback Zion Childress is also recovering from a hamstring injury, which Schottenheimer indicated might take longer to heal.
Impacts
Fant's absence will affect the Cowboys' tight end depth and special teams units, where he has been a regular contributor. The team will need to rely on other tight ends during the remainder of training camp and the upcoming season.
The injury also adds to the Cowboys' early camp concerns, though the other affected players are expected to return soon. The timeline for Zion Childress's hamstring recovery remains unclear, according to Schottenheimer.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If Fant's surgery and rehabilitation proceed as planned, he could miss the entire 2026 season. The Cowboys may adjust their roster or practice squad to compensate for his loss.
Depending on the recovery of P.J. Locke, Jalen Thompson, and Zion Childress, the Cowboys' defensive backfield could be at full strength in the near term. However, if Childress's hamstring issue lingers, his return may be delayed.
The Cowboys' training camp continues, and further injuries could shape their final roster decisions. The team's performance in the upcoming season may be influenced by how well they manage these early setbacks.
Source: iheart.com
