Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker undergoes shoulder surgery

The Dallas Cowboys will have to start their offseason workout program without second-year tight end Luke Schoonmaker, head coach Mike McCarthy shared on Tuesday. Schoonmaker suffered a shoulder injury during training that required surgery just last week. The recovery timeline for the surgery puts the former second-round pick out of commission for minicamp and OTAs, however, reporter Michael Gehlken shared that a source believes he should be “all systems go” by training camp in July.

Schoonmaker had a slow start to his rookie season after coming into camp with a foot injury. He made his first career catch in a Sept. 17 matchup against the New York Jets, which also went for a touchdown. He ended the year with eight catches on 15 targets for 65 yards and two touchdowns.

Though many expected him to be the top tight end on the team after Dallas took him in the second round, it was second-year TE Jake Ferguson that led the way instead. He could take a big step forward in 2024. The Cowboys are returning the same group of tight ends for this season.

Schoonmaker played four seasons at Michigan, but only two games over his first two years. He had a breakout senior season that put him on the map for the Cowboys. In 2022, he had 35 catches, 418 yards, three touchdowns and 11.9 yards per catch. Over the course of his collegiate career, he accumulated 54 catches, 637 yards, and seven touchdowns. Dallas drafted him with the 58 overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Mazi Smith also underwent shoulder surgery

Discussing Mazi Smith and his growth in Year 2 on Tuesday from the annual league meetings in Orlando, head coach Mike McCarthy revealed that the defensive tackle also had to undergo surgery this offseason on his shoulder. The timeline for his recovery puts him back on the field by training camp.

On top of a previously unknown shoulder injury, the former Wolverine also dealt with unexpected weight loss during the season. That Cowboys have a plan to pack the pounds back on his 6-foot-3 frame before the 2024 season, which, according to McCarthy, will give him “a lot more opportunities.”

The former Michigan star was a rotational piece for Dallas and finished the 2023 season with 13 tackles in 17 games. He recorded his first sack in a December loss to the Bills but it was still an underwhelming start to Smith’s career with the Cowboys.