The Dallas Cowboys are set to face a stern test in Week 3 as they gear up to take on the Baltimore Ravens, a challenge made more daunting by a string of injuries to key players. The Cowboys are coming off a disheartening loss to the New Orleans Saints, where defensive lapses allowed the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives. This week’s preparation has been clouded by concerns over the fitness of several crucial players.
Injury Woes for the Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, two pillars of the Cowboys' lineup, missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, the team received a glimmer of hope as both made a limited return to practice on Thursday. Lamb seemed optimistic about his condition, stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Trevon Diggs' situation, however, remains uncertain. While he participated in stretching exercises, his training was primarily under the supervision of the director of rehab, Britt Brown. Diggs described the defensive errors against the Saints as "unacceptable," reflecting the team’s frustration over their recent performance. Head coach Mike McCarthy remained cautiously optimistic about Diggs' return, noting, "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 Road to Recovery
Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the Saints game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, also practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. McCarthy expressed the importance of Ferguson to the team, saying, "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 echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Ferguson's pivotal role in the team. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week. You tried me last week, too. 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," Prescott stated.
Ravens' Injury Concerns
On the other side, the Baltimore Ravens are dealing with their own injury issues. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in practice on Thursday due to a neck and concussion injury. In better news for the Ravens, Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice following a back injury, which could bolster their defensive lineup against a potent Cowboys offense.
Context of the Cowboys’ Troubles
The Cowboys’ defense was significantly exposed in their defeat to the Saints, with Alvin Kamara running rampant for 115 yards and three touchdowns. This starkly highlighted their need for improvement. Luke Schoonmaker emerged as a bright spot, catching all six of his targets for a total of 43 receiving yards, but it wasn’t enough to offset the defensive shortcomings.
The injury to Mazi Smith compounds the Cowboys’ problems, as he left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday's practice. This adds another layer of uncertainty as they prepare to counter a formidable Ravens offense.
Despite these challenges, the Cowboys remain determined. Prescott acknowledged the efforts of the other tight ends, including undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, in the absence of Ferguson. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Schoonmaker and 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. 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," Prescott said.
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, the focus remains on recovery and resilience. With several key players on the mend and a recent loss serving as a wake-up call, the team aims to bounce back and prove their mettle.