Former Tennessee tight end Princeton Fant’s season with the Dallas Cowboys is over before it ever really got going.
According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Fant suffered a torn ACL and a partial MCL tear after colliding with a running back during a training camp play on Aug. 3. He was carted off the field after the hit and is scheduled to have surgery in the next couple of weeks.
Even after the injury, Fant stayed close to the team. Three days later, he was back at practice, watching from the sideline while his longtime teammates worked.
Fant’s injury now pushes him onto the Reserve/Injured list, with Dallas Cowboys PR announcing Thursday that he was officially placed there.
A six-year player at Tennessee, Fant was a key piece of the Volunteers’ breakout 2022 team. He finished that season with 22 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns, added five rushing touchdowns on six carries, and even threw a 66-yard touchdown pass. Tennessee used him all over the field, and he delivered as a dependable, versatile weapon.
After going undrafted in 2023, Fant signed with Dallas and has spent most of his time there on the practice squad, while also contributing on special teams. In a July interview with The Sports Animal’s Vince Ferrara, Fant talked about the role with the same team-first mindset he brought to Knoxville.
“Just like at Tennessee, man, it doesn’t change here. I’m a guy that will put the team first,” Fant said.
“Wherever they need me at, in that moment, I’m always going to be ready to do that. Special teams, it’s a very important role in the league, as well as offense and defense.
So just putting it together on special teams, going out there and making big plays, causing big fumbles on kickoff or getting my block on punts, kickoff return, punt return, different things like that, man, just doing my part.”
Fant wasn’t expected to crack Dallas’ 53-man roster this season, but he had carved out a reputation as a reliable, hard-working presence in the building. For now, that role is on hold.
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