Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker struggled to make many inroads in the first year and a half of his career, but the second-year tight end has seen opportunity knock on his door in the last three weeks.

That had come about due to Jake Ferguson’s concussion in the first quarter against the Houston Texans, and that led to Schoonmaker getting increased reps, which he’s taken full advantage of.

Schoonmaker has had receiving totals of 56, 55, and 33 in Ferguson’s absence with he and Cooper Rush developing a nice connection, much to the delight of head coach Mike McCarthy.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am for Luke,” McCarthy said on 105.3 The Fan. “I think just like any young player, you just watch these guys prepare and go through the ups and downs of being the young player in this league and go through the injury challenges. But you see the work ethic every day, very consistent, so it’s great to see him rewarded for all the extra work that he’s put in, but he’s definitely really stepped up since Fergie’s been hurt.”

With Ferguson set to make an emotional return (see “What Is Wrong With Me?”) against the Cincinnati Bengals, it will be interesting to see how McCarthy uses Schoonmaker, but one thing is for sure: “Schoon,” as well as productive UDFA rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, could still see some targets.

A change in the rotation is coming. Maybe more multi-tight end sets, too.

But in the end? While Ferguson is the clear starter, Schoonmaker has shown over the last three weeks that he still deserves reps in the offense, and to see the progression of a player who has been much-maligned since being drafted is good for the soul.

It is only a small sample size, but maybe, just maybe that second-round pick wasn’t a waste after all.