Analysis

Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his left knee Week 1, but the injury looks as though it will cost him just one game. 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 at tight end Week 2, catching all six of his targets for 43 yards. If there are any lingering concerns about Ferguson's health whatsoever, the Cowboys should feel confident in turning to Schoonmaker again if Ferguson needs more time off to heal up from the knee injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the team's top tight end appears more likely than not to miss 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.

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.