The Dallas Cowboys have begun their preparations for Week 3 with a focus on managing a cascade of injuries that could significantly impact their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens. The team is proceeding with caution, especially with key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs nursing injuries.
Key Players Sidelined
CeeDee Lamb missed practice due to an ankle injury, and Trevon Diggs was absent with a foot injury. Despite these setbacks, both players were seen strolling around the locker room without apparent discomfort. Head coach Mike McCarthy indicated that a more accurate assessment of their conditions would be available after Thursday's padded practice. "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 said.
Also present at practice, albeit not fully participating, was cornerback DaRon Bland. Bland worked off to the side with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown, as he continues to recover from a procedure to address a stress fracture in his foot. Bland's absence was felt during Week 2 when the Cowboys' defense allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives.
Bland and Defensive Struggles
DaRon Bland missed the Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, a contest where the Cowboys' defense struggled mightily. Conceding touchdowns on the Saints' initial six drives pointed to glaring issues that need resolution, especially with a formidable Ravens offense on the horizon.
In brighter news, tight end Jake Ferguson was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Ferguson had missed the Week 2 game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain sustained during the Cowboys' Week 1 victory against the Browns. His limited participation signals a potential return, though McCarthy remains cautiously optimistic. "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 shared.
The Young Guns Step Up
With Ferguson out, the team's younger tight ends like Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford have had their chance to step up. Quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged their contributions, noting that they performed admirably in Ferguson's absence. "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," Prescott said.
New Injury Concerns Emerge
Adding to the injury concerns, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith had to leave practice early on Wednesday due to a back injury. While the severity of Smith's injury remains to be seen, this adds another layer of complexity to the Cowboys' preparation for their upcoming matchup.
The Cowboys' coaching staff and medical team now face the challenge of balancing player recovery with game readiness. Ensuring that key players like Lamb, Diggs, and Ferguson are healthy enough to play, without risking further injury, will be crucial as they approach their showdown with the Ravens.
As the Cowboys navigate these injury-related hurdles, their depth and resilience will be put to the test. With the team under the watchful eye of Coach McCarthy, the focus will remain on achieving a balance between caution and competitiveness, an intricate dance that could define their success not just in Week 3, but for the remainder of the season.