The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but not without some significant bumps along the way. Injuries are shaping the narrative for both teams, particularly for the Cowboys, who are still smarting from their recent defeat to the New Orleans Saints.
Injury Concerns in Dallas
Key players like CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs have been dealing with injuries that have impacted their practice schedules. Lamb, nursing an ankle injury, reassured fans, saying, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]." His cautious optimism is echoed by the team's gradual approach to integrating him back into practice. Lamb made a limited return to the field on Thursday, a positive sign for the Cowboys' receiving corps.
On the other hand, Trevon Diggs remains a more uncertain factor. Diggs, who is dealing with a foot injury, participated in stretching exercises but spent most of his time working with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. His performance against Baltimore remains an open question. "He's going to start off in the pre-practice and then we'll evaluate from there," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "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 Role
The absence of tight end Jake Ferguson was visibly felt during the Cowboys' loss to the Saints. Ferguson's bone bruise and MCL sprain kept him off the field, but he practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday this week. McCarthy is optimistic yet cautious about his return, 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."
Quarterback Dak Prescott also expressed his enthusiasm for Ferguson’s potential return. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week," Prescott said. "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. He's obviously been out there. He's looked good."
Despite Ferguson’s absence, other tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford performed commendably against the Saints. Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. Prescott acknowledged their efforts: "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends did a good job. Simply, they did a good job."
Defense Under Scrutiny
The Cowboys' defensive lapses were glaringly evident in their loss to the Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on each of New Orleans' first six drives. Alvin Kamara exploited these weaknesses, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs described the defensive performance as "Unacceptable," a sentiment likely shared by many within the organization.
The defense’s struggles were compounded by injuries to key players. Mazi Smith left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday's session. McCarthy's patience will be tested as he waits on updates from the medical staff regarding Smith's potential return.
Baltimore's Injury Woes
The Ravens are not without their own injury issues heading into the game. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury. Meanwhile, Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice following a back injury.
As the Cowboys look to bounce back from their recent loss, the looming question is whether key players like Lamb, Diggs, and Ferguson will be fit enough to significantly contribute. The outcome of this upcoming clash will largely hinge on both teams' ability to manage and overcome these injury concerns.
With such pivotal elements in play, Week 3 promises to be a crucial juncture for the Cowboys as they attempt to realign their season's trajectory. The rehabilitation efforts put forth by both teams' medical staffs could very well determine the flow of the game and potentially the fate of their seasons.