Anyone would think it’s “National Tight End Week ”for the Dallas Cowboys, with Luke Schoonmaker and now Brevyn Spann-Ford getting recognition for their efforts over the last fortnight – and with them coming along at just the right time as Cooper Rush helpers.
Stepping in for Jake Ferguson, who was ruled out of the Houston Texans game in the first quarter with a concussion, Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford have come up big for backup QB Rush.
While Schoonmaker (as a 2023 second-round pick) is maybe under more pressure, Spann-Ford has quietly gone about his business in the last two weeks, with more offensive snaps coming his way.
Brevyn has posted a combined six receptions for 66 yards as he is developing a nice wavelength with Rush, and head coach Mike McCarthy has noticed the young tight end’s improvement.
“It’s a great illustration, a young player, just they need to play, they need those live opportunities,” McCarthy said. “I just see him getting better and better each week, I think his route running is probably was the best thing he did coming in here. I think he’s doing a really nice job, I know the quarterback room has a lot of confidence in him when he does run his routes, the time clocks, and so forth.
“He’s a tough young man, he’s got a wide body type, movement abilities to play the other positions and he’s done a good job, particularly some of the motions and redirection, so him and Luke, they’ve done a good job with their opportunity.”
With Ferguson a DNP at Tuesday’s practice, there is a chance that both Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford will again carry the tight end load on Thanksgiving against the New York Giants. … and that matters to Rush, who needs more than just Pro Bowl receiver CeeDee Lamb to move this offense through the air.
Rush, by the way, is on the injury list with a dinged-up knee but is telling NFL Network that he’s “good to go” for the 4-7 Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
Given how the Cowboys’ season has gone so far, fans need a few bright spots to take into 2025. Rush coming off a fine “elite bus driver” win at Washington and now some optimistic feeling about the tight end room going forward? Dallas hopes that’s all “bright spot” enough to register a second straight win.
