Brevyn

Spann-Ford

ESPN’s Todd Archer described the play on which Spann-Ford was injured, saying, it “looked like he got rolled up on a run play.” Roll-up mechanisms can impact the knee and/or ankle, but specifics on the injury event are unknown and players are often sent for further examination during training camp out of an abundance of caution. The Cowboys should update Spann-Ford’s status in the near future.

Ferguson logged his third straight DNP on Friday and will be forced to try again next week. Backup tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford split repetitions in Week 11, with Schoonmaker astonishingly finishing second on the team in targets (10) and Spann-Ford respectably tying for third with five of his own. Schoonmaker can be streamed as a low-end TE1 if need be but be warned: The Commanders’ linebacker corps is one of the league’s best. This will not be an easy matchup.

Ferguson’s Week 1 injury against the Browns appeared much more serious. It looks like he avoided a season-ending injury and could return later this season, though a timeframe has yet to be detailed. Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford should split tight end pass-catching duties while Ferguson is sidelined.

After redshirting his first season at Minnesota in 2018, Spann-Ford (6’7/260) caught five passes over his next two seasons. He rotated into the starter role during the 2021 season, starting all 24 of his games in his last two seasons. Spann-Ford finished his six years at Minnesota with a 25-239-2 line for the 2023 season. Though he struggles with drops and physicality, Spann-Ford’s size can allow him to be a mismatch in the passing game. Similarly, he can be a big blocker for the run game. His combine numbers show a subpar athletic profile, running a 4.77 40-yard dash and jumping a 31.5-inch vertical, both bottom-two among participating tight ends. Spann-Ford’s size will be an asset at the NFL level, though he will need to get more physical to make up for a lack of athleticism.

Kieft (6'5/265) was among the many offensive linemen/tight ends who were sidelined in recent weeks, and the exact reason for those absences remains unknown. The redshirt senior is one of two tight ends who will be back in the fold, as Bryce Witham has also been cleared to play. Brevyn Spann-Ford is also in the mix, and that trio will split the tight end reps with Jake Paulson (undisclosed) being sidelined.

Spann-Ford (6'7/270) has been sidelined for nearly a month, with his most recent game action coming in Minnesota’s Nov. 13 loss to Iowa. The redshirt sophomore has been more valuable as a blocker than as a pass-catcher throughout his collegiate career, catching four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in 12 appearances last season. Spann-Ford has yet to catch a pass this season, but his return will give the Golden Gophers additional depth at the tight end position.

Kieft (6'5/265) started the Golden Gophers’ season opener vs. Michigan, but was held out of last weekend’s loss at Maryland due to an undisclosed injury. With the redshirt senior set to miss a second straight game, redshirt sophomore Brevyn Spann-Ford’s reps will increase. Kieft caught two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Michigan.

Spann-Ford certainly has intriguing size, as the redshirt sophomore comes in at a hulking 6-foot-7, 270-pounds. In his redshirt freshman season, he wasn’t much of a factor as a receiver; catching four passes for 25 yards for the Gophers in 2019. As Fortuna notes, Minnesota also has Jake Paulson back, but with that frame, you can’t help but be intrigued by what Spann-Ford could contribute in 2020 and beyond.