Jake Ferguson's injury complicates matters further for the Cowboys and could force Jerry Jones to move quickly in the free-agent market

Jake Ferguson’s ankle injury has added another problem to a Dallas Cowboys team already searching for answers after a disappointing Week 8 defeat.

The tight end was forced out of Sunday’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals, leaving the club short of options at a position that was already depleted before kickoff.

Ferguson initially injured his ankle during Dallas’ opening possession and headed to the locker room for evaluation. Although he managed to return to the field, his comeback was short-lived.

The veteran aggravated the injury and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Subsequent reporting indicated that he had suffered a low-ankle sprain.

His absence was particularly concerning because Luke Schoonmaker was already unavailable after being ruled out with a groin injury.

That left Brevyn Spann-Ford and James Mitchell responsible for handling the tight-end workload against Arizona. Mitchell had also been elevated from the practice squad for his first appearance of the 2026 season.

Cowboys could be forced into the free-agent market

Ferguson’s injury comes during a difficult campaign for the veteran, whose performances have fallen below expectations.

His contribution as a receiver has declined, while his blocking hasn't consistently provided the reliability Dallas needs from the position. Spann-Ford has consequently earned a larger role, even starting ahead of Ferguson in recent games.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys can't afford to overlook their lack of depth. Losing another tight end would leave the offense with limited options, particularly if Schoonmaker's recovery takes longer than expected.

That makes bringing in an experienced free agent a possibility worth exploring. Dallas doesn't necessarily need a headline-grabbing signing, but adding someone capable of contributing as both a blocker and receiver could provide some much-needed stability.

A dependable veteran would also give the coaching staff greater flexibility when putting together offensive packages.

The wider situation makes the decision more pressing. Dallas dropped to 3-5 following its overtime defeat, intensifying questions about the roster and coaching staff.

Linebacker Von Miller defended the coaches afterward, arguing that the players' disappointing performance wasn't a reflection of the preparation and work being done behind the scenes.

“The product that went out there is not a reflection of our coaching staff,” said Miller .

“This is pro sports. This is not parenting. So at the end of the day, the buck has to stop somewhere. Somebody’s going to get the blame.

“But my opinion, this is just me, I don’t know nothing about football. I only played 16 years. We’ve got great coaches. We’ve got a great coaching staff. And that’s not a reflection of how they coach us and get us ready every week.”

However, results ultimately matter in professional football, and the Cowboys' problems can't simply be separated into coaching or personnel issues. If the players aren't executing the game plan, questions inevitably arise about whether the roster has enough quality to compete consistently.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has repeatedly backed the team's direction through difficult stretches. But if he believes the coaching staff is doing its job and the players are responsible for the disappointing results, responsibility for improving the roster ultimately falls on him.