Cowboys Face Tight End Dilemma: Ferguson Injury Spurs Tight End Committee Approach
The Dallas Cowboys kicked off the season with a 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns, but their win came with a setback.
Star tight end Jake Ferguson suffered a knee injury during the game, leading to fears of significant damage. Ferguson himself felt a pop and worried about the worst.
Injury Update
Fortunately, further tests revealed Ferguson has a Grade 1 MCL sprain and a minor bone bruise. He is listed as day-to-day for practice this week and might be available for the upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints. However, considering the Baltimore Ravens are set to visit Arlington in Week 3, resting Ferguson for an additional week might be prudent.
Tight End by Committee
If Ferguson cannot play, the Cowboys will adopt a tight end-by-committee approach. With no single backup capable of replicating Ferguson’s production, multiple players will need to step up.
Luke Schoonmaker
The primary candidate to fill the gap is second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker. Despite an underwhelming rookie season, Schoonmaker is now expected to take on a more significant role. With former teammate Peyton Hendershot now in Kansas City, Schoonmaker must demonstrate he can handle increased responsibilities and contribute effectively.
John Stephens Jr.
John Stephens Jr., another second-year player, also stands to benefit from Ferguson’s absence. However, Stephens is currently dealing with a strained hamstring and missed the game against Cleveland. Known for his unique athleticism and size—standing over 6’5″—Stephens has the potential to be a valuable asset if he can recover quickly.
Hunter Luepke
Unexpectedly, fullback Hunter Luepke could play a role in replacing Ferguson. Luepke has worked as a tight end in practice and has shown promise. His versatility allows him to block, line up as an inline tight end, or even function as a receiver. Despite being the Cowboys’ third-leading receiver against the Browns, his expanded role could help mitigate the impact of Ferguson’s absence.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
Rookie undrafted free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford is another option. Although he did not receive a target in the game against Cleveland, he played more snaps than Schoonmaker. Standing 6’7″, Spann-Ford presents a matchup challenge but needs to refine his receiving skills to approach Ferguson’s level of production.
With Jake Ferguson’s status uncertain, the Cowboys will rely on a combination of tight ends to fill the void. Schoonmaker, Stephens, Luepke, and Spann-Ford will each play a role in maintaining the team’s offensive efficiency.