3 Cowboys on Thin Ice Heading Into Week 2

2. Luke Schoonmaker, Tight End

For a moment, it appeared the Cowboys were going to be without Jake Ferguson for a long time. The third-year tight end didn't have a huge impact with three receptions for 15 yards but he's still a difference-maker. That's why the entire coaching staff held its collective breath when he suffered a knee injury in the third quarter.

Initially, there were fears it could be serious since Ferguson couldn't put weight on the leg. Thankfully, they received good news when it was stated an MRI revealed no tears. By midweek, Ferguson now sounds like a player who might try and take the field, saying he no longer feels pain in his knee.

In all honesty, it might be best to keep him out for at least Week 2 since it was said to be an MCL strain. Making sure he's healthy in December and January is far more important than in September. If that's how the Cowboys approach it, Luke Schoonmaker will be thrust into a larger role.

That could be a positive for the 2023 second-round pick from Michigan, who needs to figure out how to turn the corner. As a rookie, Schoonmaker had just 65 yards on eight receptions. He scored twice but wasn't utilized nearly as much as anticipated.

Against the Browns, he continued to be an afterthought. Schoonmaker finished without a pass target and played in just 19 snaps on offense. That's the same snap count undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford received. Schoonmaker could see the snaps favor the rookie even more if he doesn't make the most of this chance. Assuming Ferguson isn't going out there (or is at least in a limited role).