Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Wed 9/18/24 2:12 PM

Ferguson (knee) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson is practicing in full pads Wednesday, per Saad Yousuf of The Athletic, an indication that he's indeed trending in the right direction to play Sunday versus the Ravens. The starting tight end was forced to sit out Week 2 due to a left MCL sprain and bone bruise. Wednesday's official injury report will reveal whether Ferguson currently is limited in practice or has managed to participate without restrictions.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Mon 9/16/24 2:35 PM

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday that Ferguson (knee) was "really close" to playing in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the Saints and that "the expectation is for him to be back" Week 3 against the Ravens, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee Week 1, but it looks like those injuries will only force him to log a one-game absence. More information about Ferguson's recovery progress will arrive Wednesday, at the latest, when Dallas' first official injury report of Week 3 is released. Luke Schoonmaker looked solid while logging a spot start Week 2, catching all six of his targets for 43 yards, so if there are any lingering concerns about Ferguson's health whatsoever, the Cowboys should feel confident allowing him as much rest as is needed.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Sun 9/15/24 11:48 AM

Ferguson (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson's absence for the Week 2 matchup comes as little surprise considering he was unable to log any practice activity Wednesday through Friday after suffering an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee during the Cowboys' 33-17 win over the Browns this past Sunday. Luke Schoonmaker is likely to step in as the Cowboys' starting tight end Sunday, though he probably can't be counted on to take on as much involvement in the passing game as Ferguson usually handles after producing a modest 8-65-2 receiving line on 15 targets over 348 offensive snaps as a rookie last season. Ferguson will hope to get back on the practice field in some fashion during the upcoming week with the aim of returning to action next Sunday versus the Ravens.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Fri 9/13/24 4:03 PM

Ferguson (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against New Orleans, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
EDGE Analysis
Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday morning that Ferguson would miss another practice but could still play in Sunday's game if he returns for a light practice Saturday and looks comfortable working out. The Cowboys apparently consider it highly unlikely, setting up Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford to fill in at tight end ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Ferguson is recovering from an MCL sprain suffered in the Week 1 win over Cleveland, and while he said the pain subsided quickly, he may still be bothered by stiffness and/or swelling.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Fri 9/13/24 1:47 PM

Ferguson (knee) didn't practice Friday, but coach Mike McCarthy said the tight end still could play Sunday against the Saints if he practices Saturday, Patrick Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson hasn't practiced this week, even though he said Wednesday that his pain was a "zero" on a 1-10 scale, per Walker. Playing in a game seven days after suffering an MCL sprain has always been somewhat of a long shot, but it's at least promising for Ferguson's Week 3 availability that the Cowboys haven't yet ruled him out for Week 2. It sounds like Ferguson will be listed as questionable or doubtful on the final injury report Friday afternoon.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Thu 9/12/24 4:25 PM

Ferguson (knee) did not practice Thursday, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson was spotted working off to the side with the rehab group Thursday, per Ed Werder of Channel 8 Dallas. The starting tight end still hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints despite having suffered a bone bruise and MCL sprain Week 1, but for a real chance at suiting up he may have to practice in at least a limited capacity Friday, prior to the Cowboys assigning him an official injury designation for the weekend.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Wed 9/11/24 4:19 PM

Ferguson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
While he never stood much chance to practice three days after suffering a bone bruise and MCL sprain, Ferguson said Wednesday that his pain is already down to a "zero" on a 1-to-10 scale, per Patrick Walker of the Cowboys' official site. The injury clearly isn't as bad as it initially looked when he made an early exit from the Week 1 win at Cleveland, with Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reporting Wednesday that head coach Mike McCarthy is optimistic about Ferguson's chances of playing against the Saints this Sunday. Even if he doesn't end up playing this week, Ferguson should avoid a stint on injured reserve and push to return within the next few games.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Wed 9/11/24 12:49 PM

Head coach Mike McCarthy said that Ferguson (knee) will work with the rehab group at practice Wednesday, and the Cowboys remain optimistic about his chances of playing Sunday against the Saints, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his knee during Dallas' win over the Browns in Week 1, but he's surprisingly not yet been ruled out for Week 2. The tight end will have two more opportunities to upgrade his practice participation before receiving an injury designation for the weekend. If Ferguson is able to make enough progress, the Cowboys may not hesitate to clear him to play versus New Orleans. Backup tight end Luke Schoonmaker and fullback Hunter Luepke will both be candidates to handle increased offensive reps in the event that Ferguson misses any time.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Mon 9/9/24 12:10 PM

Ferguson (knee) hasn't been ruled out to play Week 2 versus the Saints despite being diagnosed with an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his knee Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson's MCL sprain seems to be on the minor end if the Cowboys still consider him a candidate to suit up Week 2, though it still seems likely that the starting tight end misses time. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network labeled Ferguson week-to-week, and even the shorter recovery timeframes for MCL injuries usually require two weeks of rest. Fullback Hunter Luepke benefited from increased target volume Week 1 versus Cleveland after Ferguson left the field, but 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker also seems to be a candidate to start at tight end at home against the Saints on Sunday.

Jake Ferguson
TE DAL (10)
Mon 9/9/24 11:15 AM

Ferguson (knee) has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ferguson at least has avoided a more severe knee injury, but an MCL sprain will still likely result in the starting tight end missing time. Packers QB Jordan Love also sustained an MCL sprain Week 1 and is expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks, but at this point Ferguson's specific recovery timeline remains undisclosed. Rapoport adds that Ferguson also is dealing with a bone bruise and is considered week-to-week. Luke Schoonmaker could step into the starting role Week 2 versus the Saints, but it was fullback Hunter Luepke who saw increased target volume Sunday against the Browns after Ferguson left the game.