Peyton

Hendershot

Hendershot was acquired for a conditional 2026 seventh-round selection late in August from the Cowboys. Those conditions are unlikely to be met, as the Chiefs played Hendershot in just one game. He could be of interest to teams looking for some depth in the tight end room.

The Cowboys planned to waive Hendershot today but instead will unload him to the Chiefs for a late-round lottery ticket in the 2026 draft. A 2022 undrafted free agent, Hendershot appeared in 25 games for Dallas but was not much of a factor in the box scores. With the Chiefs placing Irv Smith on the IR today, the team is likely viewing Hendershot as a replacement to ensure depth at the tight end position.

The 2022 UDFA popped up for a few catches over the past two years but missed most of 2023 with an ankle injury. Already 25, it’s not a great sign for Hendershot’s NFL future that he’s getting waived despite the Cowboys’ lack of pass-catching depth. He does figure to end up back on the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Hendershot’s practice window to be activated off injured reserve has been open for a couple of weeks. He was initially put on injured reserve with an ankle injury and has one week of activation eligibility left. While every Cowboys player on the 53-man roster practiced Wednesday and is available for Thursday’s matchup against the Seahawks, Hendershot is a candidate to be activated prior to the game. Jake Ferguson has been the Cowboys’ primary tight end with Hendershot out.

Hendershot has been battling an ankle injury for the last few weeks and is now headed to injured reserve. As Cowboys beat writer Michael Gehlken noted, Hendershot’s recovery “has not progressed as hoped,” leading the team with no choice put to put him on injured reserve. Hendershot has appeared in three games for the Cowboys this season, catching one pass for three yards.

Hendershot, who plays over 40% of snaps, will miss his second straight game. With Hendershot out, rookie Luke Schoonmaker will continue to have an expanded role behind TE Jake Ferguson.

Ferguson caught a short touchdown in the first half to save his fantasy day. He ran a route on just half of Dak Prescott’s drop backs against New York — not great usage for the rookie, who split tight end pass catching duties with Luke Schoonmaker and Peyton Hendershot. Until his route rate climbs, Ferguson will be a desperation streaming option.

Prescott added 20 rushing yards on five carries. He came close to scoring on a second-quarter run, but he was stopped short and hit Noah Brown for a one-yard TD a few plays later. Dalton Schultz also looked to be open on the play, but Prescott looked back inside and hit Brown for the score. He connected with Brown again on a scramble in the fourth quarter for a 13-yard TD. Prescott’s final throw of the game was also to Brown, but the pass bounced off of Brown’s chest and was returned for a game-sealing pick-six in overtime. That interception was not on Prescott, but he did throw a bad interception in the third quarter that a high throw to Schultz. That miscue set the Jaguars up for a TD. Prescott’s third TD of the day came on a nice throw to rookie TE Peyton Hendershot along the side of the end zone. He had a nice connection with CeeDee Lamb throughout the game as well, although Lamb didn’t score. Overall, it was a strong game for Prescott, who was likely hurt by a fairly conservative game plan. He attempted just 30 passes, with Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott combining for 35 rushes. Prescott will face a much more difficult matchup against the Eagles last week, and one that could have the Cowboys leaning on the run once again.

The Cowboys totaled three tight end TDs, with rookie Peyton Hendershot also scoring on a jet sweep. Schultz’s first tight end was especially impressive, with Dak Prescott finding him in the corner of the end zone on a 3rd-and-goal from the 15-yard line. He scored a 6-yard TD later in the third quarter. Schultz will be a TE1 against the Colts in Week 13.

Schultz was on and off the field after aggravating a knee injury with which he’s struggled for close to a month. He received medical attention on the sideline and sat out for an extended period before returning. Schultz logged just six routes on the day. Peyton Hendershot led all Dallas tight ends with 10 routes on the team’s 19 drop backs. Schultz probably isn’t a 12-team option in the hyper-conservative Cowboys offense.