Jake

Ferguson

None of the Cowboys’ starters were asked to do much today, but Ferguson was targeted once in the red zone on a play that he dropped. He’ll end the season with 82 catches on 102 targets for 600 yards and eight touchdowns. The eight touchdowns and 82 catches were career-highs for Ferguson, and his 102 targets tied his career high. Ferguson came up big for Dallas when CeeDee Lamb was out with an injury and totaled six touchdowns in four weeks from Weeks 4-7. Ferguson just recently agreed to a contract extension with Dallas, so he’ll be back next season and could be a TE1 option in fantasy depending on what the Cowboys do with impending free agent George Pickens.

Ferguson probably isn’t in line for major work in the finale as he has just 10 targets in his last three games, but the calf injury he tweaked in Week 17 won’t hold him out here. Ferguson would be a low-end TE1 if we could count on four quarters of Dak Prescott. Since we can’t, he’s probably in the TE2 range.

Ferguson aggravated his old calf injury during his team’s Week 17 game and was unable to practice yesterday. He now has a chance to play in Week 18. Whether the Cowboys allow him to play is a separate issue. The 26-year-old tight end is under contract through 2029.

Ferguson departed in the third quarter with a calf injury and was promptly ruled out for the remainder of the contest. It will be Brevin Spann-Ford operating as the primary tight end for the Cowboys for the final frame. Ferguson caught 1-of-2 targets for a six-yard touchdown prior to departing.

Ferguson hasn’t scored since Week 11 and hasn’t cracked 60 yards since Week 3. The October touchdown sugar rush was fun, but he’s only a touchdown-or-bust borderline TE1 at this point. Ferguson put up a 7/29 receiving line against the Commanders in their first meeting this year, so he may have added potential PPR scam appeal in Week 17.

The 25-year-old back should be good to go as he chases more fantasy glory in the final three games of the season. Williams is a high-end RB2 against the Chargers in Week 16’s matchup. Jake Ferguson (calf) also was cleared off the final injury report after three full sessions.

Ferguson sandwiched an absence at last Thursday’s practice with two limited sessions. He return to full participation is a good sign. Last week, the Cowboys’ starting tight end caught just 2-of-4 targets for 16 yards. Although his health is on the upswing, he must face Chargers S Derwin James at times this week. He remains a TE1, but he may take a few hard hits.

Ferguson played through a calf ailment that had him enter the weekend listed as questionable, ultimately unable to return usable counting stats on a night quarterback Dak Prescott failed to throw for a score for the third time this season. He has now failed to return a solid fantasy score in all five games since the team’s Week 10 bye, with his performance in the first week of most fantasy playoffs here hurting the most. His next chance to return TE1 production comes in a difficult matchup against the Chargers in Week 16.

Brian Schottenheimer said that he was “relieved” that Ferguson will be able to “answer the bell” in a press availability earlier, which strongly points at him playing. No longer at the point of the season where he’s spiking six touchdowns in the span of a month, Ferguson is now more of a low/mid-range TE1 against the Vikings.

Ferguson’s absence is discouraging. It is possible that yesterday’s limited session was because Ferguson suffered the injury in practice. Hopefully, today is just a planned rest day and he can resume practicing tomorrow. The Cowboys face the Vikings’ blitz-based pass defense in Week 15. Having a big-bodied target in the short-to-intermediate field depths would help out QB Dak Prescott.