Sunday proved to be a tough day for tight ends in the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns as both starting tight ends sustained injuries that will sideline them for the immediate future.
The Browns’ David Njoku and Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson are considered week to week with ankle and knee injuries following the Cowboys’ 33-17 win over the Browns. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski provided a timeline for Njoku, while multiple reports said Ferguson’s vague timetable.
With their injuries, Njoku and Ferguson left Sunday’s game in the second half. The Browns’ Njoku hauled in four catches and a team-high 44 yards receiving, while Ferguson caught three passes for 15 yards.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott addressed Ferguson’s injury after the game, saying, “I think we dodged a big one. Talking to him, he gave me a lot of confidence that he’ll be OK.” On Monday, Ferguson wrote “God is good!” on X.
Last season, Njoku led Cleveland with six touchdowns and ranked second with 882 receiving yards. Ferguson emerged as a weapon for Dallas in 2023 with 71 catches for 761 yards and five TDs.
Better than feared in Dallas
Prescott said it best Sunday night, the Cowboys “dodged a big one” when it comes to tight end Ferguson’s knee injury. Ferguson’s initial reaction after he was tackled in the second half made it look like he suffered a serious setback, potentially even season-ending. He was helped to the locker room by the team’s medical staff and never returned to the sideline. He was able to leave the stadium walking on his own with a noticeable limp. We now know that he did not suffer a significant knee injury.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said Monday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that the injury is more of a bone bruise. Jones didn’t rule out the possibility of Ferguson playing Sunday in the Cowboys’ home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Ferguson finished with only three catches for 15 yards against the Browns. He will be much more involved once he returns. He’s clearly Dallas’ top tight end. He finished second to CeeDee Lamb in most major receiving categories last season. If Ferguson cannot go Sunday, Luke Schoonmaker, a second-round pick last year, and rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford will see the bulk of the tight end work. — Machota
What Njoku’s injury means
Njoku is a focal point of the Browns’ offense. The Browns view him as a playmaker and creator of mismatches, and without him, there’s a steep drop off. The Browns only had two tight ends on their active roster for Week 1, so they’ll need to make an addition this week. The team added Cameron Latu and Blake Whiteheart to the practice squad in late August, but neither was with the Browns in camp. — Jackson
Fantasy impact for Njoku
The loss of Njoku leaves managers needing a replacement, and fortunately, there are two to three readily available. Taysom Hill is essentially a must-start TE1, albeit, low-end due to inconsistent touches. Colby Parkinson was The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue’s sleeper for 2024, and he’s a nice pickup whether or not Puka Nacua misses time.
The real answer is Isaiah Likely though. While Mark Andrews isn’t going away or ceding the lead role without a fight, Likely is arguably the No. 2 “receiver” on the team behind Zay Flowers, and he has the talent to push Andrews as the more valuable option, Likely is a must-add and must-start if the Ravens continue to treat him as a top target.
As for the Browns, there is little actionable movement, as quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to hurt the passing game — maybe Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore will see a bit more use, but that’s irrelevant outside deeper leagues. — Ciely
Required reading
(Photo: Scott Galvin / Imagn Images)
