'I Heard A Pop!' Cowboys Practice Report: Jake Update

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys' 33-17 win at the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 was delivered with only one downer - the injury scare for tight end Jake Ferguson, who admitted that immediately in Sunday's game, both the pain and the emotions were powerful.

The immediate pain, on the scale of 1-10? "Probably like a 10,'' he said.

And the immediate emotion? "Oh my God.' It kind of hit me and a couple tears (were shed ...''

That was Sunday. This is Thursday. The Pro Bowl tight end did sustain an MCL sprain along with a bone bruise in his knee, and there might be some wisdom to using caution as he tries to rehab in time to play in the Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

But on Thursday here inside The Star? One day after being a DNP at the workout, he is at least on the cords with trainer Britt Brown, thus accelerating his rehab.

"Thankfully, it's just a little bone bruise and MCL,'' he said, acknowledging that there was a moment when he feared it was an ACL tear because of "just the way it looked. The way it looked. I did hear a pop and I think that, I mean, that's the first time I've ever had anything pop ... Thankfully, the man upstairs had a different plan, and I'm just lucky to not have that happen."

Is the plan for the Pro Bowler to play on Sunday? Not quite yet. Indeed, he is again listed as a DNP on Thursday.

"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,'' he said. "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.''

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Ferguson this week issues some gems for the quoteboard, including noting that he's "like a starfish'' (because his wounded limb will grow back) and "This game isn't loyal.'' He is a tough guy, no doubt. And he's valuable, a fourth-round pick in 2022 who last year had 761 yards and five touchdowns on 71 catches during his second pro season.

(Also valued: Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who was out on Wednesday with a calf issue but is in full pads now. And tight end John Stephens Jr. is on the cords with his hamstring.)

The Cowboys do have depth at the position, from 2023 second-round pick  Luke Schoonmaker to fullback (capable of moving) Hunter Luepke. And so ...

"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,'' Ferguson said. "But if it's all good and I'm feeling great, then I'm not going to be the one who pulls back."