Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers might have to wait until next season before he makes his NFL debut. The former Baylor Bears basketball star, who has elected to play football professionally, has been on the Cowboys’ injured reserve list due to a concussion he suffered during an August practice.

Although Gathers was  eligible to return as early as Week 6, the Cowboys appear to be in no rush of activating him.

According to Brandon George of Dallas Morning News, Gathers has been working out in Dallas’ facility recently, but there is still no date set yet for his debut.

Gathers stayed away from the team facility for a month, returning Oct. 5 to weigh in, via Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. He has worked out recently under the direction of the team’s strength and conditioning coach, Mike Woicik.

Gathers was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round of last year’s draft and the most we’ve seen of the 6-foot-8 tight end was in the preseason. During that period of time, he had seven catches for 106 receiving yards and two touchdowns in two games.

Pretty good numbers that suggested the former basketball player might eventually be a player of impact for Dallas. The Cowboys always knew he was going to be a developmental project, but given that it will likely now be two full years before he gets on the field, even they have to now be a little concerned.

It might take an injury from the Cowboys’ active tight end corps for Gathers to make an appearance this season. Time will tell.