The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but the team is grappling with a spate of injuries to key players that could impact their performance. The Cowboys are looking to rebound after a disappointing defeat to the New Orleans Saints, where their defense allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives.
Injuries Piling Up
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, two cornerstone players for the Cowboys, missed practice on Wednesday due to an ankle and foot injury, respectively. Both returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, showing signs of potential recovery but leaving their game readiness uncertain. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb commented, reflecting cautious optimism about his condition.
Trevon Diggs participated in stretching exercises but spent most of his time working with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. Head coach Mike 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."
The Impact of Jake Ferguson
The absence of tight end Jake Ferguson against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain was felt deeply. Ferguson practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday, indicating progress but still uncertain for Sunday's game. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great," said quarterback Dak Prescott. "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."
McCarthy echoed Prescott's sentiment, emphasizing 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."
Defensive Struggles
The Cowboys' defense faced criticism for their performance against the Saints, particularly for allowing Alvin Kamara to rush for 115 yards and score three touchdowns. Cornerback Trevon Diggs didn't mince words, describing the defensive lapses as "unacceptable."
Adding to their defensive woes, Mazi Smith, a critical component of their defense, left practice on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday's session. His status remains in flux as the Cowboys head into their challenging match against the Ravens.
Promising Performances and Next Man Up
Despite the injuries and defensive issues, there were some bright spots. Rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker stood out, catching all six of his targets against the Saints for a total of 43 receiving yards. Prescott praised the young tight ends, saying, "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."
Even as the team grapples with uncertainty, they are not alone. The Baltimore Ravens are also contending with injuries. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in practice on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury. Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury, making him another question mark for the upcoming game.
Both teams face significant challenges as they prepare for Sunday, with injured key players potentially setting the stage for other team members to step up. How the Cowboys manage their injury-plagued roster and defensive shortcomings will be critical if they hope to bounce back from their loss and secure a win against a resourceful Ravens squad.