The Cowboys head into Friday’s preseason finale with Luke Schoonmaker in concussion protocol and not practicing on Wednesday, a likely absence that could stretch Dallas’ tight end depth. Brevin Spann-Ford is out with a high-ankle sprain, while DaRon Bland and several other defenders also sat out, creating a rough injury portrait for a team already navigating a thin offense with Jonathan Mingo (knee), Tyler Guyton (knee) and Saahdiq Charles (knee) sidelined. The upcoming Falcons matchup adds urgency to monitor how much Cowboys players can practice and play this week, especially at tight end and in the secondary. For fantasy owners, the status of Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford will ripple through week-to-week projections, with Parsons’ availability also a meaningful variable for Dallas’ defensive upside.

Luke Schoonmaker’s absence would thrust Brevin Spann-Ford into the lead role at tight end, with Peyton Hendershot as a contingency. Dallas will likely lean on two-te formation packages and shorter throws until Schoonmaker returns. If Spann-Ford remains sidelined, Hendershot could flirt with streaming-pick value in deeper leagues, while the Cowboys’ run game and backfield targets could absorb more attention in the short passing game. The overall depth at WR and CB behind the injuries also factors into how aggressive Dallas can be in Week 1 planning.

In fantasy terms, monitor the concussion protocol closely for Schoonmaker and any practice updates for Spann-Ford. Parsons’ status adds another layer: if he’s active, Dallas’ pass rush and defensive ceiling rise markedly, improving overall defensive upside in seasonal formats and boosting matchup potential for opponents against Dallas in repossessed game scripts.

The Dallas Cowboys’ tight end picture gets a subtle nudge in the latest practice notes as Luke Schoonmaker left for the locker room with the medical staff, leaving questions about his readiness for a pivotal third season. Schoonmaker has logged 35 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns since being drafted in 2023, but he’s only a secondary piece behind Jake Ferguson, who inked a four-year, $52 million extension in July. Ferguson’s new deal cements him as the top TE in Dallas’ offense, while Schoonmaker competes for snaps and targets in a receiver-rich offense.

The Cowboys are back in Frisco after a month in California, with one more preseason game vs. Atlanta before opening the season vs. the defending champs, Philadelphia. The narrative around the Cowboys’ tight end room — Ferguson as the starter and Schoonmaker aiming to grow into a real threat — will influence fantasy value and roster decisions as Dallas arrives at Week 1. Expect a steady, committee-driven approach until clear roles emerge in the regular season.

For fantasy managers, this is a reminder to watch for volume shifts in the Cowboy tight end corps. Ferguson’s workload will likely remain prominent given the extension, while Schoonmaker’s health and development could tip the balance in a hurry if he’s limited or returns with upside in the passing game. The preseason finale against the Falcons could be telling as Dallas tests formations and target distribution ahead of Week 1.

Joe Milton III’s standing as Dallas’ backup QB is still being written in the preseason, with the coaching staff treating it as a learning process rather than a prove-it competition. Milton’s own nickname evolution from Bazooka Joe to a self-described rocket mirrors the challenge: harnessing a cannon arm while settling into NFL game pace. The plan is to keep evaluating Milton in real-game contexts, not just practice tapes, as the Cowboys weigh their depth behind Dak Prescott.

Milton flashed both the upside and the rough edges in a 31-21 loss to the Rams, finishing 17-of-29 for 143 yards with a TD and an INT. He opened with aggressive air-throws that exposed timing gaps, then settled into more controlled moments in the second half. Schottenheimer emphasized help for Milton—calm, composure, and a measured approach—while the team tracks Will Grier’s role and the ongoing path to determine the true QB2.

Behind Milton, the Cowboys have Will Grier, who has flashed enough to keep a path open for a smoother transition, and a developing Trey Lance case study on the horizon. Milton’s hand injury and an elbow bruise added context to the backup narrative, reminding Dallas that the position is as much about growth as it is about readiness. The focus remains on understanding Milton’s ceiling and how the staff can best support him as the unknowns in the quarterback room unfold.

John Stephens Jr. is back in the Cowboys fold, aiming to ease through a comeback after ACL injuries that kept him out of key moments in preseason the last two years. Dallas expects a cautious ramp, with roughly 40 preseason snaps spread over three games, starting against the Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Stephens has flashed in past preseasons—62 yards with a TD in 2023 and 74 yards on eight catches last year—suggesting a real ceiling if health cooperates. Luke Schoonmaker praised his work ethic and ability to translate coaching points to the field as he nears his first live action since rehab.

With Jake Ferguson likely to sit in the opener and Brevyn Spann-Ford sidelined, Stephens could get a meaningful handful of reps as he re-enters the offense. Dallas is balancing development with caution, hoping this once-promising tight end can re-establish himself in the rotation.

The piece casts Stephens as a potential late-season breakout if health holds and he seizes any early opportunities in a TE room that includes Schoonmaker, Ferguson, and Spann-Ford. Fantasy managers should monitor his preseason workload and health signals as a barometer for 2025 upside.