As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 matchup against the formidable Baltimore Ravens, the team's preparation has been visibly marred by injuries to key players. Following a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints in which the Cowboys allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives and conceded 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Alvin Kamara, Dallas is seeking a turnaround, albeit with a roster not at full strength.
Injury Updates on Key Cowboys Players
CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys' promising wide receiver, along with cornerback Trevon Diggs, missed Wednesday's practice due to ankle and foot injuries respectively. The good news for Cowboys fans came on Thursday when both players made a limited return to practice. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb reassured. Diggs, meanwhile, participated in stretching but worked separately with the director of rehab, Britt Brown, indicating his status for the game against the Ravens remains uncertain.
Adding to Dallas’s injury woes, tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, also practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday. Head coach Mike McCarthy sounded optimistic yet cautious: "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." McCarthy further emphasized Ferguson's integral role both on and off the field, describing him as "a big part of the heart and soul of that locker room."
Ravens’ Injury Concerns
The Ravens, too, are dealing with their own set of injuries. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, and standout safety Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice after dealing with a back injury. These injuries on both sides might play a critical role in the outcome of the impending clash.
Concerns on the Defensive Front
Trevon Diggs did not mince his words when reflecting on the defense's struggles against the Saints, calling their performance "unacceptable." It’s a sentiment shared by many fans and analysts, especially considering the string of touchdowns allowed early in the game. Mazi Smith left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and was absent from Thursday's session, adding to the uncertainty on the defensive line.
Offensive Performance Amid Challenges
Despite the loss, the Cowboys did see some bright spots offensively. Luke Schoonmaker, stepping up amidst the chaos, caught all six of his targets, totaling 43 receiving yards. Dak Prescott praised the effort of Schoonmaker and rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford: "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends 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... but those other guys did play well. They did their job and stepped up." Even so, Prescott acknowledged the overall disappointment, noting, "[the game] just got away from us."
Moving Forward
As they head into a critical matchup against the Ravens, the Cowboys must address their defensive frailties and hope for the quick return of their key players. Dak Prescott exuded confidence in Ferguson, suggesting that he would have been able to play in a more critical game scenario: "He's looked great. He looked great last week... 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." This underscores the strategic decisions the team has had to make regarding player health and readiness.
The coming days will dictate the final lineup, and the Cowboys will need all hands on deck to overcome the Ravens and steer their season back on track. With injuries casting a long shadow, the resilience and depth of the roster will be put to the test in what promises to be a pivotal week in the Cowboys' season.