The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their pivotal Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they will have to navigate around several injury concerns that have plagued their roster this week.
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and standout cornerback Trevon Diggs both missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. While there was some relief in the Cowboys camp as both players made a limited return to practice on Thursday, Diggs' status for the Baltimore game remains uncertain. During Thursday's session, he participated solely in stretching exercises and worked closely with Britt Brown, the team's director of rehab. "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," head coach Mike McCarthy remarked.
Lamb, on the other hand, appeared more optimistic, stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]." His involvement will be crucial for a Cowboys offense that struggled in their previous encounter with the New Orleans Saints.
Injuries and Recovery
The playing status of tight end Jake Ferguson is another significant concern. Ferguson sat out the Saints game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain but returned to practice in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Quarterback Dak Prescott seemed confident about Ferguson’s return, saying, "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week... But he's obviously been out there. He's looked good."
McCarthy echoed Prescott’s sentiment and underscored Ferguson's importance to the team. "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."
Rookie Challenges
The Ravens have their own injury issues to worry about. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, and fellow defensive back Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. The Ravens will be looking to these young defensive players to help counter an explosive Cowboys offense, should their health permit.
Defensive Woes
The defensive lapses of the Cowboys were glaring in their game against the Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives. Alvin Kamara was particularly punishing, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs minced no words about the subpar defensive performance, calling it "unacceptable."
The defense wasn’t entirely devoid of bright spots, though. Rookie Luke Schoonmaker showcased his potential by catching all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards. Although overshadowed by the loss, his performance drew praise from within the organization. Prescott especially highlighted the efforts of Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. "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... those other guys did play well. They did their job and stepped up," Prescott said, giving a nod to the next men up who tried to fill Ferguson’s shoes.
Moving Forward
More complications arose as defensive tackle Mazi Smith left Wednesday's practice early with a back injury and subsequently missed Thursday's practice. McCarthy now faces the challenge of making the necessary defensive adjustments while grappling with an injury-hit roster.
As the Cowboys look to rebound from a disappointing loss and navigate their injury issues, maintaining a sharp focus on execution will be critical. Their resilience will be tested as they prepare to face a formidable Ravens squad with a blend of seasoned veterans and promising rookies.
In the high-stakes environment of an NFL season, every player’s contribution counts. For Dallas, the road to a comeback victory is clear, but fraught with hurdles that only collective grit and determination can overcome.