The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious position as they prepare for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens. The team is grappling with a slew of injuries to key players, adding to the pressure of bouncing back from their recent defeat by the New Orleans Saints.
Injury Concerns Loom Large
Among the injured, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs are at the forefront. Both players missed practice on Wednesday, Lamb due to an ankle injury and Diggs because of a foot issue. While there was some improvement with their limited return to practice on Thursday, concerns remain about their availability and effectiveness against Baltimore.
“Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday],” Lamb shared, reflecting a cautious optimism about his condition.
Trevon Diggs' participation remains a significant question mark. Although he engaged in stretching exercises, he primarily worked with the team’s director of rehab, Britt Brown. Head Coach Mike McCarthy elaborated, “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.”
Jake Ferguson's Return in the Mix
Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and an MCL sprain, practiced on a limited basis on both Wednesday and Thursday. McCarthy hinted at Ferguson’s potentially vital role, stating, “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 also expressed confidence in Ferguson's recovery, underscoring his contributions and readiness: “Oh, Jake will be awesome. He’s looked great. He looked great last week... 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.”
Defensive Woes Against the Saints
The Cowboys' defense had a rough outing against the Saints, allowing touchdowns on each of New Orleans' first six drives. Highlighting this defensive collapse was Alvin Kamara's standout performance, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs succinctly summarized the defensive failures as "unacceptable."
Other Injury Updates
Further complicating matters, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith exited Wednesday’s practice with a back injury and missed Thursday’s session. Additionally, rookie Luke Schoonmaker's solid performance against the Saints—catching all six of his targets for 43 yards—is a silver lining amidst the concerns over offensive firepower.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are not without their injury issues. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was limited on Thursday due to a neck and concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice following a back issue.
Insights Moving Forward
Despite the injury setbacks, the Cowboys are evidently keen on leveraging the depth in their roster. Prescott commended the efforts of Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, highlighting their influence in the tight end position while Ferguson was sidelined. “Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends did a good job," said Prescott. "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.”
As the Cowboys prepare for the Ravens match-up, the health and readiness of their pivotal players will undoubtedly shape their game strategy. With a challenging opponent looming, the focus remains on recovery and tactical adjustments to avert another setback and gain a foothold in their season.