The Dallas Cowboys are heading into Week 15 with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over one of their most reliable offensive weapons: tight end Jake Ferguson.
Ferguson was absent from Thursday’s practice due to a calf injury, a step back after being limited just a day earlier. That kind of midweek downgrade typically raises red flags, especially this late in the season when every snap matters. Whether it’s a precautionary move or a sign of a more serious issue, the situation is trending in the wrong direction for Dallas.
The Cowboys will release their final injury report on Friday, which should give us a clearer picture. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer may also provide an update before then, but as it stands, Ferguson is looking like a true question mark for Sunday - and if we're being honest, it wouldn’t be shocking if he ends up on the inactive list.
That would be a significant loss. Ferguson has quietly become one of the most important pieces in this Cowboys offense.
He’s third on the team in receiving yards and has carved out a niche as a go-to red zone threat, hauling in seven touchdowns - tied for second among all NFL tight ends. That kind of production doesn’t just disappear without consequences.
He's also been a fantasy football gem this season, ranking as the TE2 overall behind only Trey McBride of the Cardinals. So if you’re a fantasy manager riding Ferguson into the playoffs, this is a situation to monitor closely.
Beyond the fantasy impact, the real concern is what this means for a Cowboys team clinging to playoff hopes. With just an 11% chance to make the postseason, Dallas is in must-win territory. Every offensive weapon counts - and Ferguson has been a difference-maker.
If he can’t go, the next men up are Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Schoonmaker would likely get the starting nod, but let’s be real - he hasn’t shown much as a pass-catching threat this season. Spann-Ford is still developing, and neither has the chemistry with Dak Prescott that Ferguson brings.
Bottom line: The Cowboys need Ferguson on the field. His presence gives this offense another dimension, especially in the red zone where Dallas has struggled with consistency. Without him, they’ll be asking unproven players to step into a high-pressure role in a game they can’t afford to lose.
Friday’s update will be telling. But for now, Cowboys fans - and fantasy managers - are holding their breath.