The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but they are facing significant challenges due to injuries. The team's preparations have been shadowed by the injury concerns surrounding several key players.
Injury Struggles
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs have been notable absences on the practice field. Lamb missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle issue but reassured fans saying, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]." Both Lamb and Diggs made a limited return to practice on Thursday, with Diggs participating in stretching exercises before working with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. There's still uncertainty about Diggs' availability for the upcoming game.
Adding to the list of concerns is Jake Ferguson, who missed the previous game against the New Orleans Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Ferguson practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. His return would be a significant boost for the Cowboys, with quarterback Dak Prescott expressing confidence in Ferguson's condition. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great," Prescott said. "But he's obviously been out there. He's looked good."
Offense and Defense Woes
Friday’s practice report included another troubling note as rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith left Wednesday’s practice with a back injury and subsequently missed Thursday’s session. On the brighter side, rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker performed admirably against the Saints, catching all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards. The Cowboys will need contributions from all healthy players to maximize their chances against a formidable Ravens team.
On the Ravens' side, rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck and concussion issue, while Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice following a back injury. The health status of these players could significantly impact the dynamics of Sunday’s matchup.
Reflection on the Saints Loss
The Cowboys' previous outing left much to be desired, as they allowed the New Orleans Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives. Alvin Kamara was a standout performer for the Saints, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns against the Cowboys. Reflecting on the defensive lapses, Trevon Diggs simply deemed it "unacceptable."
Coach Mike McCarthy has been cautiously optimistic about the injuries and their potential impacts on the Dallas performance. Speaking about Trevon Diggs’ situation, McCarthy noted, "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." On Jake Ferguson’s return, McCarthy added, "Jake's a big part of the heart and soul of that locker room. No question about it."
Stepping Up
While the Cowboys have experienced hurdles, there have been rays of hope. Dak Prescott praised the young tight ends, Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, who stepped up in the face of adversity. "Those young tight ends did a good job,” Prescott said. “Simply, they did a good job. [Jake Ferguson’s] got a mentality that other guys feed off of, that's very contagious, but those other guys did play well."
The Cowboys face a tough task in the upcoming game against the Ravens, needing to tighten up their defense and capitalize on offensive opportunities if they hope to avoid a repeat of their pitfalls against the Saints. With key players slowly returning to practice, Cowboys fans will be eager to see if their team can overcome the odds and secure a much-needed victory.