Jake Ferguson injury: Dallas Cowboys tight end slow to return after massive hit from Kenneth Murray

Injuries have piled up for the Dallas Cowboys at training camp. Some top players have gone down and even missed practice time. Tight end Jake Ferguson is the latest, leaving the field on Thursday after undergoing a little friendly fire.

Ferguson took a shot from linebacker Kenneth Murray in what appeared to be a red zone drill. Lined up on the right side of the formation, Ferguson came back across the middle. Murray used his shoulder to knock his teammate down from behind. ESPN’s Todd Arch captured a video of the full moment.

Jake Ferguson down after hit from Kenneth Murray. Got up after a bit and had his helmet on. pic.twitter.com/jUvtTEcTF5

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 7, 2025

Staying down on the ground for a while, Ferguson eventually made his way to the sideline. Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News captured his movement, walking slowly. At one point, Ferguson dropped his helmet and had a trainer look at his lower back. Hoyt added the tight end got on a knee.

Instead of going to the medical tent, Ferguson went straight back to the locker room. Not the sign anyone involved with the Cowboys wants to see. Tight end projects to be a position head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants to rely on moving forward.

Jake Ferguson skips the injury tent and heads straight into the locker room.

Three Cowboys have left practice today:

– TE Jake Ferguson
– RB Jaydon Blue
– OL Dakoda Shepley pic.twitter.com/H8W6hhbIKh

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 7, 2025

Ferguson is coming off a season where he struggled, only catching 59 passes for 494 yards. No touchdowns were recorded, a first of his career. Previously, Ferguson developed great chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott back in 2023, going for 761 yards and five touchdowns on 71 receptions.

The Cowboys are betting on the Ferguson of old returning as well. A recent contract extension was given to the tight end, signing him for four years, worth up to $52 million. Ferguson gets a nice payday for himself while Dallas locks down a player for the future.

Hopefully, nothing comes of this training camp injury. You have to imagine the Cowboys are not too happy with the shot from Murray, even if Schottenheimer wanted more physicality out of his players leading into the season. Anything leading to long-term issues is a major negative.

Dallas begins its season on Sept. 4, going up against the Philadelphia Eagles. Any game between the two NFC East rivals is an important one. Stakes will be even higher this time as the NFL kicks off the new year and the Eagles hang a Super Bowl banner.

Ferguson figures to be a big part of the game plan. Not just in Week 1 but throughout the entire season.