Jake Ferguson injury update: NFL insider reveals Week 2 availability of Cowboys TE

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson suffered a sprained MCL in the team’s 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. On Sunday, NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported that Ferguson will be unavailable against the New Orleans Saints.

Ferguson, 25, left the game last Sunday with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter. He did not return and finished the game with three receptions for 15 yards. Ferguson was a non-participant in practice this week.

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Ferguson isn’t the only player who will be unavailable for the Cowboys on Sunday. Ahead of the game, the Cowboys released their complete list of inactive players.

• TE Jake Ferguson
• QB Trey Lance
• CB Andrew Booth
• LB Buddy Johnson
• WR Ryan Flournoy
• TE John Stephens Jr.
• OT Matt Waletzko

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More on Jake Ferguson’s injury

On Wednesday, Ferguson revealed he initially thought he’d torn his ACL when he went down against the Browns.

“Yeah, I think my only thought was ACL, and if my ACL’s good, I’m fine,” Ferguson said. “There’s some stuff you can play through. And I’m one of those guys who if I can play through it, I’m going to go. But at the same time, if I can’t give this team my best and I can’t live up to the standard, and play at that standard that we hold, then there’s no point in me hurting the team.

“If I go out there and I’m working with the trainers on stuff and it doesn’t feel right or I can’t do one thing or the other that is going to lead to me not being able to do my job, then it’s going to probably be a no-go. But if it’s all good and I’m feeling great, then I’m not going to be the one who pulls back.”

Ferguson is coming off a breakout season in 2023. Replacing Dalton Schultz as the team’s starting tight end, Ferguson made 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns. He earned his first career Pro Bowl nod.

Although Ferguson won’t play against the Saints, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy claimed the standout TE is close to returning.

“He’s doing well. He did a little more yesterday,” McCarthy said on Friday, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “He’s getting close.”

With Ferguson out, 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker will slide up the depth chart and get the start. The Cowboys and Saints will square off at 1 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FOX.

On3’s Nick Geddes also contributed to this article.