Cowboys Grapple With Key Injuries Ahead of Week 3 Clash Against Ravens
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, they are contending with several critical injuries that could shape the outcome of the game. Following a bruising defeat to the New Orleans Saints, the Cowboys are looking to rebound but face uncertainty with key players on both sides of the ball.
The Cowboys' injury list includes prominent names such as CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, both of whom missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. They made a limited return on Thursday, with Diggs participating in stretching exercises and working with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown. Whether Diggs will be fit to perform against Baltimore remains in question.
“Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day,” CeeDee Lamb said about his condition, emphasizing the caution with which the team is treating these injuries.
Jake Ferguson, who sat out the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and an MCL sprain, also practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Mike McCarthy expressed cautious optimism regarding Ferguson's status.
“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 noted, reflecting the day-to-day evaluation process.
Quarterback Dak Prescott was equally hopeful about Ferguson’s recovery, praising his efforts and hinting at a potential return under different circumstances. “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.
Additionally, Mazi Smith, another notable player, left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and was absent on Thursday. The extent of Smith's injury and his potential availability for the Ravens game remains unknown.
The collection of injuries comes at a crucial time for the Cowboys, especially following their heavy defensive lapses against the Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on each of the first six drives. Saints running back Alvin Kamara exploited these vulnerabilities, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. The defensive issues were a significant focal point for Trevon Diggs, who described the performance as “unacceptable.”
On the offensive side, despite the defeat, there were standout moments, particularly from Luke Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker, who caught all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards, showed flashes of potential, prompting praise from Prescott.
“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,” Prescott highlighted the performance and mentality Ferguson brings to the squad, underscoring his importance.
The Ravens, not without their own injury concerns, have rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins limited with a neck/concussion injury. Kyle Hamilton also made a limited return to practice after dealing with a back injury. The injury list on both sides adds a layer of unpredictability to the upcoming game.
All eyes will be on the Cowboys’ injured players as the team hopes to integrate them back into the lineup for the pivotal clash against the Ravens. Minutes and participation in practice sessions leading up to the game will be crucial in determining their availability. As Coach McCarthy and the Cowboys’ staff continue to monitor and evaluate, the hope remains that they can shake off the setbacks and field a competitive team.