The Dallas Cowboys have entered Week 3 preparations with an air of caution, addressing numerous injuries before their upcoming clash against the Baltimore Ravens. Among the most significant absences from practice were wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs. Lamb was sidelined due to an ankle injury, while Diggs was dealing with a foot injury. Despite missing practice sessions, both players were seen moving around the locker room without noticeable discomfort, suggesting their conditions might not be as dire as initially feared.
Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that a more definitive evaluation of their status would come after Thursday's padded practice. "He's going to start off in the pre-practice and then we'll evaluate from there. Hopefully, he can get through the whole practice and see how it goes. This is the first time giving it a chance," McCarthy elaborated, offering a glimpse into the team's cautious optimism.
Meanwhile, cornerback DaRon Bland was at practice, though he worked separately with Britt Brown, the team’s director of rehab. Bland was absent during the Cowboys' Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, recovering from a procedure to address a stress fracture in his foot. His presence, though limited, signifies a step towards reintegration into the lineup. This development is critical for a Dallas defense that struggled mightily against the Saints, surrendering touchdowns on each of their first six drives.
Adding to the Cowboys' injury woes, tight end Jake Ferguson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Ferguson was absent in Week 2 due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain he sustained during the Cowboys' Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns. McCarthy is optimistic about Ferguson's prospects: "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."
Quarterback Dak Prescott weighed in on Ferguson's importance to the team, highlighting the tight end's impact both on and off the field. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] 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 reflected.
The Cowboys also saw rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith leave practice early on Wednesday due to a back injury. This latest setback adds to the growing list of injuries plaguing the team, underscoring the importance of depth and resilience as they approach a crucial game against Baltimore.
With several key players nursing injuries, the Cowboys will be relying on the depth of their roster and the readiness of their backups. The resilience and performance of young talents like Bland, Schoonmaker, and Spann-Ford will be under the microscope as they seek to fill the void left by their sidelined teammates. Nevertheless, the optimistic updates about Lamb and Diggs, coupled with the hopeful recovery of Ferguson, provide a semblance of relief and anticipation as the Cowboys gear up for what promises to be an intense Week 3 showdown.