The Dallas Cowboys started off their 2024 season on an incredibly high note Sunday with their dominant win over the Cleveland Browns on the road. Dallas' offense had little troubles moving the ball, while the defense made the day a nightmare for Browns QB Deshaun Watson.
Unfortunately, though, the Cowboys amazing afternoon was dimmed in the second half after tight end Jake Ferguson left the contest with a concerning lower-body injury.
After waiting on pins and needles, fans finally got their first update on Ferguson during the postgame press conference.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said TE Jake Ferguson (knee) was in good spirits and moving around well in the locker room after the game
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 9, 2024
Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that Ferguson was in "good spirits" and getting around fine in the locker room after helping the team take down Cleveland. The tight end did have his left knee wrapped in ice, and was seen walking with a limp, but he believes he could have return to the game if needed.
Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson was just seen walking out of the locker room with an ace bandage wrap around his left knee. He was walking with a limp. #DallasCowboys
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) September 8, 2024
Ferguson added he's set to get an MRI on Monday to reveal the extent of the injury, and he has hope it's just a hyperextension.
Jake Ferguson said he’ll get a MRI tomorrow on his left knee. It was wrapped in ice as he left the locker room. He’s hoping it’s just hyperextended. More will be known tomorrow. He also said he felt he could have played through it.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 9, 2024
Unfortunately, there's not much to take away from McCarthy and Ferguson's optimism. Given how strong today's athletes are and the adrenaline of the moment, we've seen players do miraculous things while having significant injuries, so Ferguson thinking he could've played through doesn't mean much.
How Ferguson's knee looks and feels on Monday will provide a much better view of the situation. He may very well avoid the worst-case scenario, but that could still mean a multi-week absence is in the cards, like the Green Bay Packers just saw after QB Jordan Love's own injury scare.
If Ferguson does miss time, that would suddenly thrust 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker into a featured role and provide the young TE a chance to show his worth after a lackluster rookie year.
In other Cowboys news: