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.

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.

Ferguson (knee) is believed to have avoided an ACL tear based on initial tests, and X-rays on his knee came back negative Sunday, but he will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury he suffered in Sunday's 33-17 win over the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson isn't out of the woods, but at least he seems to have avoided a season-ending injury to his ACL. A recovery timeline will likely be established after additional testing clarifies the nature and extent of Ferguson's injury. His next chance to take the field will be Sept. 15 against the Saints.

Ferguson (knee) went to the locker room in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Browns, Nick Harris of the Cowboys' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson went down holding his knee after getting tackled at the end of a two-yard catch, which brought him up to three catches for 15 yards on five targets. The severity of the starting tight end's injury will likely be clarified after additional testing, but with the Cowboys holding a comfortable 27-10 lead at the time of his injury, Ferguson probably won't return to action Sunday.

Ferguson didn't play in any of the Cowboys' three preseason games this season.

EDGE Analysis

The 2022 fourth-round pick is already locked in as the starting tight end, so Dallas didn't waste any preseason snaps on Ferguson, instead giving more work to the depth options fighting for a roster spot like John Stephens, Peyton Hendershot and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Ferguson had a breakout 2023 campaign, hauling in 71 of 102 targets for 761 yards and five touchdowns, and with CeeDee Lamb still holding out and Brandin Cooks nursing a knee injury at the end of training camp, he could become an even more important receiving option for Dak Prescott to begin the regular season.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Ferguson is "having a great offseason" and praised the tight end's "consistency and his passion," Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson, a 2022 fourth-round pick, enjoyed a real breakout season as Dallas' top tight end last season, with a 71-761-5 receiving line and Pro Bowl honors. The third-year pro is now reportedly improving at multiple facets of the game, and he could be positioned to take the next step forward as a fantasy producer. Dak Prescott's clear top target will be CeeDee Lamb, with Brandin Cooks working as the No. 2 wideout, but at this stage 2023 second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker (hamstring) doesn't look like a true threat to Ferguson's workload.

Ferguson caught 10 of 12 targets for 93 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 48-32 wild-card loss to the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year tight end was Dak Prescott's top option in the red zone, catching a one-yard score on the final play of the first half before adding two more TDs of seven and 14 yards in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys tried desperately to mount a comeback. Ferguson's huge playoff performance came on the heels of a breakout regular season in which he caught 71 of 102 targets for 761 yards and five touchdowns, finishing ninth among TEs in receptions and eighth in receiving yards. Assuming Prescott returns to Dallas in 2024, Ferguson figures to be one of his top targets once again.

Ferguson caught all six of his targets for 69 yards in Sunday's 38-10 win over the Commanders.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Washington's defense put up little resistance to the Dallas passing attack, and Ferguson tied Brandin Cooks for second on the team in catches behind CeeDee Lamb's 13. Ferguson wraps up a breakout regular season with 71 catches for 761 yards -- both top-10 figures in the NFL among tight ends -- and five TDs on 102 targets, and he figures to be one of Dak Prescott's favorite options in the wild-card round Sunday as the Cowboys take on the Packers.

Ferguson recorded four receptions on six targets for 33 yards in Saturday's 20-19 win over the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Ferguson entered the game having seen eight targets in four consecutive games, but he was overshadowed by Brandin Cooks as the secondary producer in Dallas's offense in Saturday's win. The end result was Ferguson's lowest yardage total since Week 12. Positively, he still has at least four catches in five consecutive games.

Ferguson totaled four catches (on eight targets) for 45 yards during Sunday's 22-20 defeat in Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Since the Cowboys' Week 7 bye, Ferguson has recorded at least four receptions in seven of the last nine games, a stretch in which he put together a 40-469-4 line on 61 targets. That equates to a respectable 11.7 YPC and 7.7 YPT, but he fell short of both marks Sunday. Ferguson will have a chance to bounce back this coming Saturday against a Lions defense that has conceded the 11th-most receiving yards (790) and fifth-most touchdowns (six) to opposing tight ends in 15 contests on the campaign.