Jake Ferguson turns in a standout padded-practice showing for the Cowboys

Jake Ferguson made his case again at practice for the Dallas Cowboys, producing what Yahoo Sports described as a strong Tuesday padded-work session. The day’s buzz centered on Ferguson’s ability to win routes and create separation, a theme that has become familiar after his breakout-quality 2025 season.

In 2025, Ferguson posted what the report called his best overall statistical year, finishing with 82 receptions and eight receiving touchdowns, both career highs. Yardage also climbed, with his 600 receiving yards ranking as the second-highest total of his career, reinforcing that his impact has been more than just touchdown-dependent production.

Still, the same preview that highlighted Ferguson’s on-field productivity also raised a red flag. He had three fumbles in 2025, for seven fumbles over a two-year span, and his 7.3 yards per catch were described as a career low. That combination suggests a player capable of moving the chains but still working to refine the details that determine whether big plays are sustained through contact and into the hands of the offense.

Ferguson’s performance at Tuesday’s practice lands in a familiar roster conversation for Dallas every offseason: the Cowboys rely heavily on tight end involvement to stress coverages, create mismatches, and give the quarterback a reliable intermediate option. A tight end who can function as both a route runner and a finishing target can shape how an offense is defended, which makes Ferguson’s consistency important even when games are not being played.

The “padded practice” setting also matters. Practices with contact typically reveal more about timing and physicality than walk-throughs do, and they often expose whether a receiver can hold onto the ball through traffic. The report’s emphasis on Ferguson’s productive practice, paired with the earlier 2025 ball-security note, points to a player whose day-to-day development is not only about making plays, but doing so with repeatable fundamentals.

For Dallas, the key next step is to watch whether Ferguson’s practice sharpness translates into cleaner play without the same turnover risk. If he can build on what has been described as strong work while limiting fumbles, it would directly strengthen the Cowboys’ offensive reliability, particularly in situations where tight ends are asked to secure targets in confined windows.