The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, coming off a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints. The team has been grappling with a spate of injuries that could affect their performance, with several key players nursing ailments.
Injury Woes
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, two vital cogs in the Cowboys' lineup, missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. By Thursday, both made limited returns to practice. Diggs participated in stretching exercises but primarily worked with the director of rehabilitation, Britt Brown. His status for the game against Baltimore remains uncertain. "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," said head coach Mike McCarthy.
In addition to Lamb and Diggs, Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Quarterback Dak Prescott is optimistic about Ferguson’s 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 remarked.
Ferguson's presence is crucial for the team's morale and performance. "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.
Rough Loss to the Saints
Last week's game against the Saints exposed several weaknesses in the Cowboys' defense. They allowed New Orleans to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives, a lapse that Diggs succinctly labeled "unacceptable." Alvin Kamara was particularly devastating, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. The defense's performance must be tightened up if they hope to contain the Baltimore offense.
Despite the loss, some bright spots emerged, particularly in the passing game. Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. Prescott noted the resilience of the team's young tight ends, including undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford. "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," Prescott commented.
Ravens’ Injuries
The Ravens have their own injury concerns to address. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a neck and concussion injury. Meanwhile, Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. How these injuries will impact the Ravens' defensive strategies against the Cowboys remains to be seen.
The Path Ahead
As the Cowboys prepare for their matchup against Baltimore, the health and readiness of key players like Lamb, Diggs, and Ferguson will play a significant role in their prospects. While the team looks to bounce back from their loss to the Saints, addressing defensive breakdowns and maintaining offensive consistency will be pivotal.
"Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb assured, indicating that he might be nearing full fitness for the upcoming clash. The Cowboys will need all hands on deck as they strive to secure a vital win and turn the early part of their season around.