The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a pivotal Week 3 match against the Baltimore Ravens, coming off a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints. The team's preparation has been overshadowed by concerns over several key injuries, which could significantly impact their performance come game day.
Injury Concerns
Among the injured are wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs, both of whom have been dealing with ankle and foot issues, respectively. Lamb, who missed practice on Wednesday, reassured fans and teammates by stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]." He returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, showing signs of improvement.
Trevon Diggs, on the other hand, remains a more uncertain case. He participated in stretching exercises but focused primarily on working with the Cowboys' director of rehab, Britt Brown. Head Coach Mike McCarthy expressed cautious optimism, commenting, "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."
Diggs himself was blunt about the team's defensive lapses against the Saints, calling them "unacceptable." The Cowboys' defense had a rocky performance, allowing New Orleans to score touchdowns on their first six drives. Alvin Kamara capitalized on this, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns, a feat that further highlighted the Cowboys' defensive struggles.
Jake Ferguson's Status
Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. His return is eagerly anticipated by teammates and coaches alike. Quarterback Dak Prescott addressed Ferguson's potential impact, stating, "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."
McCarthy echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Ferguson's influence on the team beyond his on-field contributions. "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."
Ravens' Injury Report
The Ravens are also dealing with their own set of injuries. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was limited in practice on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. Both players' statuses remain uncertain, which could affect the Ravens' defensive strategies against the Cowboys.
Stepping Up
The Cowboys will need contributions from all healthy players to offset the potential absences. Luke Schoonmaker, for instance, stepped up against the Saints, catching all six of his targets and amassing 43 receiving yards. Prescott acknowledged the efforts of Schoonmaker and fellow undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, noting, "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends did a good job. Simply, they did a good job... 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."
The team will also need to address the absence of Mazi Smith, who left practice on Wednesday due to a back injury and missed Thursday's session. Smith's availability moving forward could be a critical factor for the Cowboys' defensive front.
As they prepare for the Ravens, the Cowboys are focused not just on recovery and readiness, but also on rectifying the mistakes that plagued their game against the Saints. The outcome of this upcoming match could very well hinge on the health and resilience of their key players.