The Dallas Cowboys' preparation for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens is overshadowed by a litany of injuries to key players. The team is looking to bounce back from a dismal performance against the New Orleans Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on the first six drives and saw running back Alvin Kamara rush for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
Injury Woes for Cowboys
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs were notable absentees at Wednesday's practice due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Lamb, however, remained optimistic about his condition. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," he said. Both players made a limited return on Thursday, but the uncertainty surrounding their full recovery still looms large.
Diggs, who worked with the director of rehab Britt Brown, participated only in stretching exercises. His availability for the Ravens game remains a significant question mark. Reflecting on the team's defensive lapses against the Saints, Diggs succinctly put it, "Unacceptable."
The Cowboys also missed tight end Jake Ferguson in their loss to the Saints, who was sidelined with a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Quarterback Dak Prescott expressed his confidence in Ferguson's resilience: "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."
Limited Returns and Optimism
Both Ferguson and fellow tight end Luke Schoonmaker have shown promise in practice. Ferguson participated in a limited capacity both Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Mike McCarthy shared a hopeful sentiment regarding Ferguson’s return, stating, "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 also elaborated on Ferguson’s tentative participation, "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."
Schoonmaker, meanwhile, caught all six of his targets in the game against the Saints, amassing 43 receiving yards. His and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford’s performances were acknowledged by Prescott, who mentioned their contribution, "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."
Challenges for Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are not without their own injury concerns. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a neck/concussion injury. Adding to their worries, safety Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. These developments could impact the Ravens' defensive strategy as they prepare to face a Cowboys team eager to redeem themselves.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for their upcoming matchup, the health of key players like Diggs, Lamb, Ferguson, Hamilton, and Wiggins will be crucial in determining the game's outcome. The Cowboys, reeling from their recent defensive breakdown, aim to improve and show resilience on the field. With several players gradually returning to practice, there is a cautious optimism within the team ranks. Only time will tell if these recoveries will translate into success against a formidable Ravens squad.