Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Six catches in Sunday's start
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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 recorded 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.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Slated for increased workload
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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.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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For now, Schoonmaker is the No. 2 tight end for the Cowboys behind Jake Ferguson, who could be out in Week 2 with a knee injury. In deeper leagues, if Schoonmaker were to get the start in Dallas in Week 2 against New Orleans, he would be worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Could get start in Week 2
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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.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Suits up for preseason opener
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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.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Dealing with groin issue
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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.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Cleared from hamstring issue
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Schoonmaker (hamstring) has been cleared for the start of Cowboys camp, Nick Harris of the team's official website reports.
Schoonmaker underwent shoulder surgery following last season and then picked up a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the entirety of OTAs. He's now healthy, and the 2023 second-round pick has the inside track to No. 2 tight end duties behind Jake Ferguson in Dallas. Schoonmaker caught just eight balls for 65 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games last season, spanning 368 offensive snaps.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Missing OTAs with hamstring issue
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Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Schoonmaker (shoulder) could miss the entirety of OTAs due to a hamstring injury, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, McCarthy confirmed that Schoonmaker's rehab from shoulder surgery has gone well, but the young tight end is now tending to a new injury. The 2023 second-round pick has had issues staying healthy in his young career, as he previously missed time last spring after being drafted due to a foot issue. Despite batting the shoulder problem as a rookie, Schoonmaker still appeared in all 17 regular-season games.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Nabs reception in Week 13 win
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Schoonmaker played 25 of the Cowboys' 89 snaps on offense and recorded one reception for 12 yards on one target in Thursday's 41-35 win over the Seahawks.
Schoonmaker drew a target for the sixth consecutive game and has cobbled together a 6-60-1 receiving line during that stretch. The rookie out of Michigan has been operating as the Cowboys' No. 2 tight end behind starter Jake Ferguson for most of the season, though Schoonmaker's standing on the depth chart could be affected by the return of Peyton Hendershot (ankle), who was activated from injured reserve Wednesday.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: No targets Monday
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Schoonmaker went without a target while playing 17 of the Cowboys' 64 snaps on offense in Monday's 20-17 win over the Chargers.
Schoonmaker's 27 percent snap share was his lowest since Week 3, after he had played north of 40 percent of the snaps in both of the Cowboys' previous two contests. The rookie out of Michigan is the clear No. 2 option on the depth chart at tight end and likely can't be counted on for more than a target or two per game while Jake Ferguson is available.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: First career catch produces TD
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Schoonmaker caught his only target for a one-yard touchdown in Sunday's win over the Jets.
After fellow tight end Jake Ferguson opened the scoring in the first quarter with a four-yard TD reception, Schoonmaker snagged his first career NFL catch and first career touchdown two minutes before halftime. Through two games with head coach Mike McCarthy as the new play caller, the Cowboys have leaned heavily on their TEs in the red zone. Ferguson already has five targets inside the 20-yard line, while Peyton Hendershot also has a target and a carry on a jet sweep at the goal line. That division of volume puts a ceiling on the fantasy value of any one member of the trio, but Schoonmaker will be a viable deep-league dart throw in favorable matchups, such as the one Dallas gets Week 3 against the winless Cardinals.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Foot is pain-free
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Schoonmaker indicated after Tuesday's practice that he's no longer feeling any pain in his foot, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "It's pretty much back to where it was before [the injury]," Schoonmaker said of his plantar fasciitis. "I'm just doing strengthening stuff. I'm really trying to get the rest of my foot strong around it so that I don't have any issues."
Taken in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft despite his existing foot issue, Schoonmaker is expected to open his rookie season working behind Jake Ferguson at tight end. The rookie could push for a bigger role as the campaign unfolds if he's able to stay 100 percent healthy.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: One catch Saturday
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Schoonmaker caught his only target for eight yards in Saturday's 28-23 preseason loss to the Jaguars.
As expected, Jake Ferguson got the start at tight end for the Cowboys and was a favorite target of Cooper Rush early in the game, but Schoonmaker received his first taste of NFL action -- even if only of the preseason variety -- and caught Will Grier's first pass of the second half. The Michigan product has gotten in little work since being drafted in the second round of the 2023 Draft due to a partial tear of his plantar fascia, but he appeared healthy Saturday and should be able to start ramping up with an eye on getting ready for Week 1.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Will play Saturday
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Schoonmaker (foot) will play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Jaguars, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
A rookie second-round pick, Schoonmaker has been limited throughout training camp while recovering from a partial tear of his plantar fascia that he suffered during OTAs, but it looks like he's healthy enough to handle some game reps versus Jacksonville. With Dalton Schultz now in Houston, Schoonmaker is competing for snaps with Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Still making progress
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Schoonmaker (foot) will get more work in practice Thursday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Schoonmaker continues to ramp up his activity as he recovers from a partial tear of his plantar fascia, which he suffered earlier in the summer. The Michigan product had his first practice with the team Monday following his activation from the non-football injury list, and he will likely see his participation level increase as the preseason proceeds, as long as he can stay healthy. The 24-year-old is expected to compete with Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson for tight-end snaps this season.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Progressing toward health
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Schoonmaker (foot) was a more active participant in practice Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
The tight end returned to practice Monday after coming off the active/non-football injury list, and Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said earlier Tuesday that the next step would be taking "some padded team reps." Schoonmaker has been nursing a partial tear to his plantar fascia since before training camp. The 2023 second-round pick is projected as one of the Cowboys' backup tight ends along with Peyton Hendershot behind 2022 fourth-round selection Jake Ferguson.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Comes off NFI list
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The Cowboys are activating Schoonmaker (foot) from the active/non-football injury list Monday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Schoonmaker continues to work his way back from a partial tear to the plantar fascia of his right foot. The rookie tight end is expected to operate in a limited capacity in his return to practice Monday, and coach Mike McCarthy declined to comment about his chances of suiting up for preseason action versus the Jaguars on Saturday. In any case, returning for crucial training camp reps will be helpful as Schoonmaker looks to compete with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot for regular-season work.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: No return timeline yet
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Schoonmaker (foot) may eventually be cleared for training camp but doesn't currently have a return timeline, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Cowboys recently placed Schoonmaker on the non-football injury list due to plantar fasciitis that predates his time in the NFL. It's unclear if they knew about it when making him a second-round pick in April, but the team at least seems optimistic he'll be ready at some point this summer. Even if he's back by Week 1, the missed time in camp impacts Schoonmaker's rookie-year fantasy outlook, hurting his chances to eclipse second-year pros Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot in a TE room that no longer has Dalton Schultz.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Should be ready for training camp
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Schoonmaker (foot) is expected to be ready for training camp, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Schoonmaker has been sidelined while battling a plantar fascia issue, but it doesn't appear to be too serious. When healthy, the rookie second-round pick should compete with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot for snaps at tight end in 2023.
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Cowboys' Luke Schoonmaker: Heading to Lone Star State
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The Cowboys selected Schoonmaker in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 58th overall.
Schoonmaker is athletic (4.63-second 40-yard dash, 127-inch broad jump) and has a viable in-line tight end frame (6-foot-5, 251 pounds), but the Michigan product doesn't project as a fantasy standout in the NFL. Schoonmaker turns 25 in September, and he struggled as a pass catcher for Michigan prior to last season. Schoonmaker's 418 yards and three touchdowns on 48 targets (8.7 YPT) in 2022 might mark a pivot point in his development, which may have been stunted by playing mostly quarterback in high school. Though more toolsy than Cowboys incumbents Jake Ferguson or Peyton Hendershot, Schoonmaker isn't necessarily more skilled.
