OXNARD, Calif. — Jake Ferguson, a tight end with the Dallas Cowboys, departed practice early Thursday after taking a blow to the back. Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. made contact with Ferguson during a passing play during a red-zone practice, causing him to sustain injuries. Ferguson was surrounded by teammates and remained on his back for a number of minutes until he managed to stand up on his own. “I just got to keep my teammate up,” Murray stated. “Everything moves quickly down in the red zone, so you’re just trying to stay on it as soon as possible. The amount of room and space is limited.
Before leaving the field at the beginning of the following quarter, Ferguson seemed to be attempting to stretch out his back after being evaluated by a trainer. Dak Prescott, the quarterback, said the hit was the result of two players acting on instincts that are “hard to turn off in split-second moments.” On July 27, Ferguson agreed to a four-year contract deal worth $52 million, which includes a $12 million signing bonus. Despite not having a touchdown reception the previous season, he had 59 catches for 494 yards.
Ferguson had a career high last season with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. Additionally, the Cowboys had reserve offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley and rookie running back Jaydon Blue leave Thursday’s practice due to lower-body injuries. One day after backup guard Rob Jones broke a bone in his neck, Tyler Guyton, Dallas’ starting left tackle, suffered a fractured right knee on July 28 that will keep him out for two to three months. Guyton missed four to six weeks of action.
