Cowboys receive best-possible update on Jake Ferguson after scary injury

The Dallas Cowboys steamrolled the Cleveland Browns as road underdogs on Sunday. The 33-17 final score was not an accurate reflection of how lopsided the game was. The Cowboys led 27-3 early in the third quarter and maintained a 24-point advantage until the Browns scored a consolation touchdown in the final minute of regulation.

Mike Zimmer's defense turned in an immaculate performance and Dak Prescott was efficient and surgical in the first half to help Dallas jump out to a multiple-touchdown lead. The only negative takeaway from the game was the injury to tight end Jake Ferguson.

Ferguson came up limp after a ugly-looking tackle that saw his left leg pinned underneath a Browns defender. The Pro Bowler clutched his knee and headed straight to the locker room for further testing.

The Cowboys got an encouraging update on Ferguson late Sunday, with reports claiming that Ferguson avoided an ACL injury. Ferguson even expressed optimism about the injury to Prescott before Monday's all-important MRI. Well, Cowboys fans can finally exhale.

Ferguson took to social media Monday morning with a message that seems to convey he received good news on his knee. Shortly thereafter, Ian Rapoport reported that Ferguson suffered a sprained MCL and a bone bruise. He is considered week-to-week.

Cowboys News: Jake Ferguson suffered MCL sprain in Week 1 win

Ferguson will likely miss multiple games, but this update feels like the best-possible scenario given how scary the injury looked in real time. Ferguson could hardly put any pressure on the knee and walked to the locker room with an obvious limp.

Even though reports claimed Ferguson's ACL was not damaged, a number of other injuries could have ended his season. A torn meniscus has already wiped out the seasons of Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Panthers star defensive lineman Derrick Brown.

The Cowboys' tight end room is deep this year, but it features two players who have never appeared in an NFL game: second-year pro John Stephens Jr. and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford. The other member, 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker, posted eight catches for 65 yards as a rookie and wasn't targeted at all against the Browns.

Stephens missed Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. His status for next week's home-opener against the Saints is unclear. If he's unable to go, the Cowboys may have to elevate Princeton Fant from the practice squad. Meanwhile, Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford played just 19 snaps apiece.

Ferguson is the clear alpha in the room. He was Prescott's second-favorite target last season behind CeeDee Lamb and saw over 100 targets. He ranked second on the team with 71 catches and 761 receiving yards and third with five touchdown catches.

The Cowboys will miss Ferguson dearly over the next couple of weeks, but the fact he'll be back at all this season is a win.

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