The Dallas Cowboys will be without starting tight end Terrance Ferguson for their upcoming Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The team officially ruled the player out on Friday following his failure to clear the NFL concussion protocol after suffering a head injury during last week’s contest against the San Francisco 49ers. The absence of the primary target creates a significant void in the Dallas offensive scheme as the team attempts to rebound from recent struggles.
Head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the status of his tight end during a recent media availability session held at the team facility. The coach confirmed that the medical staff determined the athlete was not fit to return to competitive action this weekend. Regarding the decision to keep the player sidelined, “he did not clear the protocol,” according to NFL.com.
Ferguson has been a consistent contributor for the Cowboys this season, serving as a reliable safety valve for quarterback Dak Prescott. His physical presence in the middle of the field and his ability to contribute in both the passing and blocking games have been staples of the Dallas attack. With him sidelined, the coaching staff is expected to rely on a rotation of reserve tight ends to fill the vacancy. Players such as Luke Schoonmaker are anticipated to see an increase in snap counts as the team adjusts its personnel groupings to compensate for the loss of their starter.
The Cowboys enter the game looking to stabilize their season after falling to a 3-4 record. The matchup against the Falcons represents a critical juncture for the team as they navigate a challenging midseason schedule. While the loss of Ferguson is a setback, the organization remains focused on executing their game plan with the remaining active roster. The team has not yet provided a specific timeline for when the tight end might return to the practice field, noting only that they will continue to monitor his recovery progress throughout the coming week as he works toward full medical clearance per NFL.com.