Cowboys Rumors: Jake Ferguson Week-to-Week After Knee Injury Diagnosed as MCL Sprain

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain after being injured in Sunday's 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Ferguson will reportedly miss time, though it's not a season-ending injury.

While Ferguson is considered week-to-week, ESPN's Todd Archer reported the tight end "could still play" in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.

Per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Ferguson felt that he could have played through the injury and had hoped that it's just hyperextended.

The 25-year-old left in the third quarter of the Cowboys' win over the Browns after he was tackled. He was listed as questionable to return, but he didn't come back into the game.

Ferguson was targeted five times on Sunday, recording three catches for 15 yards.

Patrik Walker of the team's official website revealed that the tight end exited Dallas' locker room without crutches or a brace, only wearing an ice pack attached to his knee.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was also optimistic about Ferguson's outlook moving forward when speaking to reporters after the game.

"I think we dodged a big one," Prescott said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "Talking to him, he gave me a lot of confidence that he'll be OK."

Ferguson is coming off a breakout 2023 season, earning the first Pro Bowl nod of his career. The former fourth-round pick racked up 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns, steadily becoming one of Prescott's top options in the pass game.

Over his final seven appearances including the Cowboys' lone playoff contest last season, Ferguson averaged eight targets per game. Over that same span, he hauled in 41 catches for 433 yards.

He was expected to remain one of Dallas' top offensive playmakers in his third season, drawing praise from offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in training camp.

"If you watch this guy and his leadership, and he's found his voice in that room, he's so well respected," Schottenheimer said, via Ben Grimaldi of Cowboys Wire. "He's a tone setter."

With Ferguson likely to miss time, Dallas is expected to lean on backup Luke Schoonmaker until he's able to return.