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FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday that practice squad tight ends James Mitchell and Michael Trigg will both have chances to compete while Jake Ferguson is sidelined with a knee injury.
Ferguson was hurt Sunday in Dallas’ 27-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts, a game in which he caught the Cowboys’ first touchdown. On Monday, Schottenheimer said Ferguson would miss multiple weeks. Ferguson did not practice Wednesday as Dallas began preparing for Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker are the other tight ends on the 53-man roster. Spann-Ford (shoulder) and Schoonmaker (groin) were full participants Wednesday. Schoonmaker was inactive against the Colts.
James Mitchell Has Been Elevated For Two Straight Games
Mitchell joined the Cowboys’ practice squad in early September. The Detroit Lions drafted him in the fifth round out of Virginia Tech in 2022, and he later spent time with the Carolina Panthers.
Dallas elevated Mitchell from the practice squad before its Week 8 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and again before Sunday’s game in Indianapolis. Against Arizona, he recovered a Javonte Williams fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. League rules allow a practice squad player to be elevated three times in a season before he has to be signed to the active roster.
Schottenheimer met with reporters before practice Wednesday at The Star.
“First, I’ll talk about James,” Schottenheimer said. “I mean, he’s been incredible really the last couple weeks. Just it’s what you expect from a pro, a guy that’s been around. Know what to do, do it well. And I’m not just talking about offense. I’m talking about special teams as well.”
“So, very fortunate to have him, and be able to step into that role,” Schottenheimer continued.
Michael Trigg Still Developing As A Blocker
Trigg signed with Dallas as an undrafted rookie after the 2026 draft. He caught 50 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns at Baylor in 2025 after earlier stops at USC and Ole Miss. Dallas waived him at final cuts in August and brought him back on the practice squad, and a toe injury kept him out of part of the preseason.
Schottenheimer moved to Trigg in the same answer.
“And then Trigg is doing well,” Schottenheimer continued. “I mean, the ability to run routes and stuff like that is special. It’s some of the other things that we got to continue to work with him on from a fundamental standpoint. Some of the blocking and things like that, but both those guys will have their ops to compete, and we’ll see how it plays.”
Spann-Ford signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota in 2024 and has been Ferguson’s backup since. He was flagged twice against the Colts, part of a 14-penalty, 153-yard afternoon for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys (4-5) host the 49ers (7-1) on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.
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