The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens, but they are not without concerns. Injuries have plagued several key players, complicating their preparations and casting uncertainty over their lineup.
Key Injuries
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, both made a limited return to practice on Thursday. Diggs, while participating in stretching exercises, spent significant time working with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. His availability for the game against Baltimore remains uncertain. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day," Lamb commented, indicating some improvement in his condition.
Another critical player, tight end Jake Ferguson, missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain. He practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday, showing signs of recovery. Quarterback Dak Prescott praised Ferguson's efforts, stating, "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week. You tried me last week, too. I think if it's a different game last week, more important game later in the season type of deal, that Jake probably could have went then. But he's obviously been out there. He's looked good."
Head coach Mike McCarthy shared a similar sentiment about Ferguson's importance and recovery progress. "Jake's a big part of the heart and soul of that locker room. No question about it. I was told he had a good workout today. That's good news. But we'll see how he comes in tomorrow and so forth. I'm hopeful he can play," McCarthy said. The cautious optimism surrounding Ferguson's condition is a glimmer of hope for Dallas, given his integral role on the team.
Ravens' Situations
The Ravens also face their set of challenges. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury. Meanwhile, Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice following a back injury, further adding to the uncertainties for Baltimore's defense.
Previous Game Struggles
The Cowboys are looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance against the New Orleans Saints. Dallas allowed the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives, an "unacceptable" defensive lapse, as described by Trevon Diggs. The Cowboys struggled to contain Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns. Reflecting on the game, Prescott remarked on the efforts of the young tight ends, Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends did a good job. Simply, they did a good job. As I've said throughout the week, Jake's more than just a tight end on Sunday. He's an aggressor. He brings a physical nature to this group. He's got a mentality that other guys feed off of, that's very contagious, but those other guys did play well. They did their job and stepped up. They made some plays, but [the game] just got away from us," Prescott conceded.
One of the few bright spots for Dallas was Schoonmaker, who caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. Despite this effort, the overall defensive lapses overshadowed individual performances.
Mazi Smith's injury woes further complicate matters for the Cowboys. Smith left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday's practice altogether. His status remains in doubt, adding to the challenges facing the Dallas defense as they prepare to face a potent Ravens offense.
As the Cowboys finalize their preparations for a challenging encounter with the Ravens, the clock is ticking for their injured players to recover and make an impact. The next few days of practice and recovery will be crucial in determining which key players can suit up and help turn the tide for Dallas. With their resilience being tested, the Cowboys must navigate these injuries to stand a chance against a formidable Baltimore side.