The Dallas Cowboys have an important matchup on Sunday Night Football in Week 15. They need to beat the Minnesota Vikings to keep their hopes of fighting for the NFC East title against the Philadelphia Eagles alive.
The possibility of Jake Ferguson missing the game makes Brian Schottenheimer more apprehensive, especially with this match being vital for the rest of the regular season. After the team’s 44-30 defeat by the Detroit Lions in Week 14, they now need to react to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the growing list of absentees is causing greater concern among fans.
What Is the Latest Update on Jake Ferguson’s Recovery?
According to the latest injury report, several players are listed as “limited” or “did not participate,” with Ferguson’s calf injury being the most notable. The tight end injured his calf against the Lions on Thursday Night Football in Week 14, and afterward participated on a limited basis in Wednesday’s practice before Week 15. This suggests he should be available for the big SNF matchup against the Vikings.
This update reassured the Cowboys, despite the TE having five catches on seven targets for 58 yards against the Lions. However, his lost fumble led directly to a Detroit touchdown in the first half, and his hands-to-the-face penalty near the 2-yard line worsened the situation. Although productive, these mistakes had a significant impact on the team’s chances.
The TE was flagged for questionable offensive pass interference, hurting a promising Cowboys drive in the fourth quarter. However, he will have a favorable matchup against the Vikings’ defense and is expected to perform considerably better.
Ferguson was recently involved in controversy against the Chiefs in the 31-28 Thanksgiving win, when he leaped into the Salvation Army Bell at AT&T. It is worth remembering that the rulebook could allow the Cowboys’ TE to be charged with “Banned/Excessive Celebrations,” penalties that can result in fines ranging from $12,000 to $14,000.
Fortunately for Ferguson, the NFL did not impose punishment for this celebration, and he escaped a second penalty for a similar reason. Four years ago, the TE was fined $4,895 for “excessive celebration” against the New York Giants.
Ferguson Did Not Maintain a High Level in the NFL
It is worth noting that Ferguson was selected for the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season, 2023. He had 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns that year. However, in 2024, he suffered a considerable decline in his performance level, particularly in the last regular-season games without quarterback Dak Prescott.
Ferguson (who currently ranks 19th in the PFSN TE Impact metric with a C+ grade) is having a season of ups and downs in 2025, but his best games are being overshadowed by the Cowboys’ inconsistent campaign. The team’s three-game winning streak ended with a loss to the Lions, a result that significantly diminished their playoff chances.
