The Dallas Cowboys faced a scare during their victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as tight end Jake Ferguson sustained a knee injury in the third quarter. Ferguson, now in his third season, left the game with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter and did not return. He finished the game with three catches for 15 yards. Although his absence was felt, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy noted that Ferguson was in “good spirits” after the game, moving around well in the locker room, according to Jon Machota of *The Athletic*.
On Monday, the Cowboys received a much-needed update regarding Ferguson’s condition. The injury was confirmed as a sprained MCL, which typically sidelines players for a short period but is far from season-ending. Ferguson’s X-rays were negative, and crucially, his ACL is intact. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed that while Ferguson will miss some time, his absence won’t be extensive. This is a relief for Cowboys fans, as the team will likely need him for the long haul in their Super Bowl pursuit.
Ferguson took to social media on Monday, tweeting, “God is good,” signaling optimism about his recovery. However, with Week 2 on the horizon, it’s likely that Ferguson will sit out the upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints to allow for proper healing.
In Ferguson’s absence, Dallas will turn to their other tight ends, including Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford, and John Stephens. Schoonmaker, in particular, has the opportunity to redeem himself after a less-than-stellar rookie season in 2023. Both Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford played a significant number of offensive snaps against the Browns, and they are expected to take on an increased workload until Ferguson is ready to return.
The Cowboys’ depth at tight end will be tested, but with Ferguson on the mend, the team can remain hopeful for a swift recovery and his return to the field.
