The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a critical Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens, under a cloud of injuries that is casting a shadow on their preparations. This pivotal game comes on the heels of a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints, where the Cowboys' defense crumbled, allowing touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives. As the team works to bounce back, they face significant challenges with key players nursing injuries.
Injury Woes for the Cowboys
Among the notable absences from practice earlier this week were wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs. Lamb, dealing with an ankle injury, and Diggs, sidelined by a foot issue, missed Wednesday's session, although both managed a limited return on Thursday. Reflecting on his situation, Lamb stated, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," suggesting optimism about his recovery.
Diggs' status remains more uncertain. Despite participating in stretching exercises, Diggs spent the majority of Thursday's practice working with the Cowboys' director of rehab, Britt Brown. Diggs' potential involvement in Sunday's game against Baltimore hangs in the balance, leaving a significant question mark over the Cowboys' defensive capabilities.
Other Key Players' Status
Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the Saints' game due to a bone bruise and an MCL sprain, has been a critical figure in the Cowboys' locker room. After practicing in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday, his readiness remains in question. Head coach Mike McCarthy commented, "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."
Ferguson's impact extends beyond his on-field performance. According to McCarthy, "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 this sentiment, offering high praise for Ferguson. "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 said.
Ravens’ Injury Report
The Baltimore Ravens are not without their own concerns heading into this matchup. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was limited on Thursday due to a neck and concussion injury, while safety Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice following a back injury. The Cowboys will need to strategize effectively to exploit any potential weaknesses in the Ravens' secondary.
Reflecting on the Saints Game
The Cowboys' loss to the Saints was a harsh reality check, dominated by Alvin Kamara's stellar performance. Kamara rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns, exposing significant flaws in the Cowboys' defense. Trevon Diggs didn't hold back in his critique, labeling the defensive lapses as "unacceptable."
Among the few bright spots for the Cowboys was Luke Schoonmaker, who caught all six of his targets, accumulating 43 receiving yards. Prescott acknowledged the efforts of Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, stating, "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. 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."
Adding to the injury list, defensive lineman Mazi Smith exited Wednesday’s practice with a back injury and was notably absent on Thursday, raising further concerns about the Cowboys' defensive depth ahead of their confrontation with Baltimore.
As the Cowboys aim to recalibrate and steel themselves for the impending Ravens game, the burden of injuries and the lessons from their recent defeat cast a formidable challenge. The resilience and adaptability of these players will be pivotal in determining whether they can turn the tide and secure a much-needed victory.