Who Steps Up for Cowboys if Jake's Out?

FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys and fans alike let out a collective gasp went Jake Ferguson went down grabbing his knee in the third quarter of Sunday's season opener.

Based on the immediate looks of the injury, the fears for Ferguson were squarely on a potential ACL tear.

Fortunately, that has not been the case. But the starting tight end never did practice this week and he remains doubtful for the Cowboys Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints - as CowboysCountry.com has been reporting all week would likely be the case.

If he is absent, who will Dallas need against to step up against the Saints on Sunday?

Beyond the statistics, there is no other player that can make up for what Ferguson brings. Nonetheless, there remain opportunities and targets for others in the passing game. ... and in snap count.

Sticking with the tight end position, conventional wisdom says it appears Luke Schoonmaker could be primed for his first big spot in a Cowboys uniform. He only reeled in eight grabs last season, but the Cowboys saw something in him when they selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Since Ferguson will return at some point, the amount of pressure lessens on "Schoon'' to carry the load on his own. But given the chance, he could on Sunday make a case to coach Mike McCarthy and the offensive leadership for an enhanced role in the offense going forward.

Looking outside the tight end position group, Sunday may be the breakout day for Jalen Tolbert.

While there was discussion heading into Dallas' first preseason game about the battle for the No. 3 receiver position, Tolbert had already locked it up. He has put in the work with the team and with Dak Prescott individually.

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Against the wounded Saints secondary, Tolbert has a chance to declare his arrival.

Rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford and Hunter Luepke (a fullback by trade but with tight end skills) are other names to watch. With Ferguson doubtful, his targets and snaps will have to be distributed elsewhere.

However that production shakes out, its a positive that Ferguson should not be out of the lineup for too long. However, the options who now have opportunity not only could impress with a bigger spotlight, but demonstrate the depth and versatility of this "Texas Coast Offense.''