With Jake Ferguson questionable for the time being, how will the Cowboys deal with the tight finish place? I used to be stunned to see that Brevyn Spann-Ford performed as many snaps as Luke Schoonmaker in the first recreation. Could the rookie develop into the fundamental man when Ferguson is absent? – Bill Hendricks/Dallas, TX
Nick Eatman: I feel the fundamental man could be Schoonmaker, if Ferguson is certainly out for the recreation. As of Friday morning, it is unclear what his standing could be. He may very well be dominated out for the recreation by the afternoon however he hasn't practiced Wednesday or Thursday and that is not an excellent signal for him to play. Schoonmaker wants the alternative to step up. Dak Prescott mentioned on Thursday he has full confidence in him and he simply wants an opportunity to shine. What higher time than Sunday if Ferguson is out. I do not know if the Cowboys would name up Princeton Fant from the apply squad. Hunter Luepke might deal with the No. 3 tight finish duties like he did final week. And sure, Spann-Ford would slide into the No. 2 position. I feel he'll get higher and higher with each rep. They can deal with it with out Ferguson however you clearly wish to see him return as quickly as doable.
Patrik: As of now, it is nonetheless unknown if Ferguson will miss any time and that itself is improbable information when you think about he dodged a serious harm. That mentioned, in the occasion he's advised to relaxation in opposition to the Saints and/or the Ravens over the subsequent couple of weeks, sure, count on extra work for Brevyn Spann-Ford. He's a “angry” blocker who also can catch passes and that is a no brainer that he'll transfer up in rep depend. John Stephens Jr. can also be one to regulate this week, seeing as he missed the opener with a hamstring harm. The hope is he can go versus the Saints and his capacity to catch passes is the finest in the bunch exterior of Ferguson's, and I'll add that I might count on Princeton Fant to be elevated from the apply squad — although perhaps much less for tight finish and extra to spell Hunter Luepke in some fullback packages. Why's that? Well, contemplating how bullish Mike McCarthy, Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones have been this week in pushing Luepke to the entrance of the tight finish line in a state of affairs the place Ferguson does not play, you would be sensible to imagine extra manufacturing there as properly — additionally search for extra targets to guys like Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks to assist complement the misplaced manufacturing.
