Cowboys: Luke Schoonmaker could see reduced role very soon

The Dallas Cowboys could be getting some help at tight end in the next few days following Wednesday's news that Peyton Hendershot has been designated to return.

The second-year player who suffered an ankle injury early in the season has a chance to play in Carolina this Sunday after being placed on IR in Week 6, but his game status remains unclear (he was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's injury report, which was an estimation).

Now granted, the Cowboys would need to clear up a spot in the 53-man roster for him to play. They also still need to do something about linebacker Rashaan Evans if they want him on gameday, as well, as he has run out of practice squad elevations. This is to say that some patience might be required for roster maneuvers. 

But as promising as the Hendershot news is, it could prove costly for second-round rookie Luke Schoonmaker. 

The product out of Michigan is struggling in his first year in the league despite post-draft expectations of him fighting for the starting role with Jake Ferguson. 

Schoonmaker has drawn only eight targets this season for three catches and 14 yards. His hands have been an issue and even his route-running cost the Cowboys a touchdown during their Week 9 loss in Philadelphia.

To put into perspective, 57 tight ends have more targets than Schoonmaker does entering Week 11. Yet there are only eight tight ends with more drops.

Who knows who Schoonmaker ends up being over the long run but it's clear that Hendershot could very well return to directly eat into the rookie's TE2 snaps. There just hasn't been enough on film to act as if the rookie has his current role guaranteed.

While Hendershot hasn't been perfect himself, he had a strong offseason and could immediately earn a role after being a contributor as an undrafted rookie last year.

Of course, there's also Sean McKeon, whose security on the 53-man roster will be intriguing to monitor once Hendershot officially returns from Injured Reserve.