Former Wisconsin tight end returns from injury, leads team in receiving yards

Former Wisconsin tight end returns from injury, leads team in receiving yards

Former Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson was everywhere during the Dallas Cowboys’ 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

After missing Dallas’ previous game against the New Orleans Saints with a left leg injury, Ferguson returned to the turf for his team’s second straight home game. This time, it was against the dynamic QB Lamar Jackson, bruising running back Derrick Henry and steady head coach John Harbaugh.

Ferguson reeled in six of his 11 targets during the game for 95 receiving yards, by far the most of any Cowboys pass-catcher. To put that into context, superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb finished with four catches for 67 receiving yards.

Whenever the 6-foot-5 tight end is available, franchise quarterback Dak Prescott simply plays better. Prescott finished with 379 yards and two touchdowns on the day and primarily utilized Ferguson as a downfield threat throughout the contest.

The 2023 Pro Bowl selection suffered a left leg injury with just over six minutes to play in the third quarter of Dallas’ Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns. Fortunately, he avoided any serious injury.

If he remains healthy, Ferguson will continue to serve as one of Prescott’s most targeted weapons in 2024. The talented tight end is fresh off a 71-catch, 761-yard and five-touchdown season in 2023.

Ferguson pocketed 145 total receptions, 1,618 receiving yards (an average of 404.5 per season) and 13 touchdowns as a Badger from 2018-21.