Schoonmaker will stand to take on a bigger role than normal Sunday at Washington with Jake Ferguson (concussion) ruled out for the contest, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Ferguson lasted seven offensive snaps during Monday's game against the Texans before departing with a concussion. The development freed up more work for other Cowboys tight ends, as Schoonmaker led the position in snap share (53 percent) and targets (10), while Brevyn Spann-Ford earned 49 and five, respectively. Such a breakdown implies Schoonmaker will share the load rather than take on Ferguson's outsized role (typically, at least 75 percent of snaps in five of his previous six healthy appearances). Still, Schoonmaker's 10 targets translated to six catches for 56 yards Week 11, so he should be plenty busy behind No. 1 WR CeeDee Lamb.
Unlock the latest Dallas Cowboys news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Luke Schoonmaker news
Career History
-
DraftKings points 3.6FanDuel Points 2.9REC 1.5REC YDS 16.8LNG 9.1TD 0.1CBSS fantasy points 2.2ESPN fantasy points 2.2Yahoo fantasy points 2.9
-
Full season projectionsREC 17.0REC YDS 165.8LNG 16.0
Schoonmaker will stand to take on a bigger role than normal Sunday at Washington with Jake Ferguson (concussion) ruled out for the contest, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Ferguson lasted seven offensive snaps during Monday's game against the Texans before departing with a concussion. The development freed up more work for other Cowboys tight ends, as Schoonmaker led the position in snap share (53 percent) and targets (10), while Brevyn Spann-Ford earned 49 and five, respectively. Such a breakdown implies Schoonmaker will share the load rather than take on Ferguson's outsized role (typically, at least 75 percent of snaps in five of his previous six healthy appearances). Still, Schoonmaker's 10 targets translated to six catches for 56 yards Week 11, so he should be plenty busy behind No. 1 WR CeeDee Lamb.
Schoonmaker had six receptions (on 10 targets) for 56 yards in Monday's 34-10 loss to the Texans. Starter Jake Ferguson (concussion) exited early Monday after being checked for a head injury, opening the door for Schoonmaker to take over as the primary tight end for most of the contest. The second-round sophomore posted career-high receiving numbers while matching his previous game high of six receptions that he set back in Week 2 against the Saints. Fantasy managers desperate for a tight end Week 12 will have to wait on Ferguson's status in the coming days before finalizing any waiver claims on Schoonmaker following a solid effort against Houston.
Schoonmaker didn't draw a target while playing 21 of the Cowboys' 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 47-9 loss to the Lions. Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush dropped back 48 times and spread the ball around to seven different pass catchers in the blowout loss, but Schoonmaker didn't get a look even while top tight end Jake Ferguson (46 snaps) saw less playing time than usual. While filing in for an injured Ferguson in a Week 2 loss to the Saints, Schoonmaker recorded six catches for 43 yards, but he's been limited to two receptions for 13 yards on four targets over the subsequent four contests since Ferguson rejoined the lineup.
Schoonmaker caught one of two targets for five yards in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. With Jake Ferguson back in the lineup after missing last week's contest with a knee injury, Schoonmaker saw his usage predictably crater. The second-year tight end still has seven catches through three games, a vast improvement on the eight receptions he managed in 17 games as a rookie, but his role in the Dallas offense will remain minor as long as Ferguson stays healthy.
Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the Saints. With Jake Ferguson (knee) sidelined, Schoonmaker stepped into the starting lineup and made some athletic grabs, although his longest gain went for only 15 yards. The 2023 second-round made only eight receptions total as a rookie, but he appears ready to make an impact in his second NFL campaign. Ferguson's status for a Week 3 clash with the Ravens is still uncertain, but Schoonmaker's performance should reassure the Cowboys that they don't need to rush their starting tight end back into action.
Schoonmaker is in line to be the Cowboys' No. 1 tight end Sunday against the Saints with Jake Ferguson (knee) doubtful to play, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. A 2023 second-round pick, Schoonmaker has yet to miss a game in his brief NFL career, but he also has just eight catches (on 15 targets) for 65 yards and two touchdowns in 18 regular-season contests. As such, he won't hold as much sway as Ferguson for as long as the latter is sidelined due to an MCL sprain, but the increased opportunity for Schoonmaker should result in more regular looks from quarterback Dak Prescott. The other options to fill in at the position are Brevyn Spann-Ford and practice-squad member Princeton Fant.
Schoonmaker may get an opportunity to start versus the Saints in Week 2 with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting that Jake Ferguson (knee) is expected to miss time. Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford each played 30 percent of the offensive snaps as backups to Ferguson in Week 1 versus Cleveland. However, neither tight end was targeted in the game while fullback Hunter Luepke saw two targets after Ferguson's exit, catching both for 18 yards. Considering the investment Dallas made by selecting Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he should be the favorite to fill in for Ferguson atop the depth chart, but he caught only eight passes in 2023. Ferguson is reportedly considered week-to-week due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, so he figures to be sidelined multiple contests. John Stephens (hamstring), who was inactive in Week 1, could also be in the tight end mix for Dallas once he gets healthy.
Schoonmaker saw two targets but failed to catch either one in Sunday's 13-12 preseason loss to the Rams. The second-year tight end had been dealing with a groin injury early in training camp, but he was deemed healthy enough to start Sunday while Jake Ferguson sat out the preseason opener along with the rest of the Cowboys' offensive starters. Schoonmaker didn't make any kind of impact, though, letting a short pass from Trey Lance go through his hands on the team's second drive before the duo failed to connect on a deep out on the next play. Schoonmaker's status as a second-round pick in 2023 gives him the edge on winning the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but he's struggled to stay healthy to begin his career and could face a stiff challenge in camp from John Stephens.
Schoonmaker didn't practice Saturday and is considered day-to-day due to a groin injury, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports. The fact that the injury has been deemed day-to-day rather than week-to-week suggests it's not serious, but it's unclear when Schoonmaker may get back on the field. The second-year pro is slated to work as Dallas' No. 2 tight end behind Jake Ferguson this season. The former has struggled to stay healthy since the end of the 2023 campaign, though, as he underwent offseason shoulder surgery and then missed OTAs due to a hamstring issue before suffering the current groin injury.