The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, but they’re facing a range of injury concerns that could impact their performance.
Injuries Plague Practice Sessions
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs both missed Wednesday’s practice due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. By Thursday, both players made a limited return, with Diggs participating only in stretching exercises and working closely with director of rehab Britt Brown. His availability against Baltimore remains uncertain, leaving a significant gap in the secondary.
"Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," said Lamb, reflecting a cautious optimism about his potential readiness for Sunday.
Linebacker Jake Ferguson, who missed the previous game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Head coach Mike McCarthy offered an optimistic update: "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 return could be crucial, considering his role as a defensive leader. "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," McCarthy added.
Defensive Shortcomings and Offensive Bright Spots
The Dallas defense will need to tighten up considerably after allowing the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives last week. Star running back Alvin Kamara had a field day against the Cowboys, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs summed up the team’s defensive performance with one word: "Unacceptable."
On the offensive side, there were glimmers of hope. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards against the Saints. This kind of performance is what the Cowboys will need more of, especially if injuries continue to plague the roster.
Dak Prescott emphasized the importance of Ferguson’s potential return. "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’ Own Injury Woes
It’s not just the Cowboys facing significant injury concerns. The Ravens are also managing injuries that could impact their defensive unit. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was limited in practice on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton, who had been dealing with a back injury, returned to practice in a limited capacity.
Both teams will be looking to overcome these challenges as they prepare for a critical Week 3 matchup. Each side has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity, but the question of whether key players can return to full form looms large.
Looking ahead to the game, it’s evident that injury management will play a pivotal role in the performance of both teams. The Cowboys, in particular, have a lot to prove, especially after a demoralizing loss to the Saints and with key players like Lamb, Diggs, and Ferguson under scrutiny for their readiness.
High Stakes and High Hopes
The situation calls for backups and less-heralded players to step up. As Prescott noted, “Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn 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.”
The Cowboys will need that collective effort and more as they face the Ravens in what is shaping up to be a test of depth, skill, and endurance. Fans can only hope that the injury cloud lifts enough for Dallas to showcase their full potential.