The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, coming off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints. The team is facing several injury challenges that could impact their performance on the field.
The Cowboys’ recent defeat to the Saints was particularly distressing, as they allowed touchdowns on each of New Orleans' first six drives. Running back Alvin Kamara torched their defense, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Cowboys’ cornerback Trevon Diggs described the defensive lapses as "unacceptable."
Injury Woes
Several key players are nursing injuries as the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs both missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, they made a limited return on Thursday. Lamb expressed optimism about his condition, stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Trevon Diggs participated in stretching exercises but spent most of his time working with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. His availability for the game against Baltimore remains uncertain. Additionally, tight end 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.
Head coach Mike McCarthy addressed Ferguson's status, "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."
Further complicating matters, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday's practice entirely.
Opposition's Injury Report
The Baltimore Ravens are also dealing with their own set of injury issues. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a neck/concussion injury. Safety Kyle Hamilton has returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury, which could still hamper his performance.
Unexpected Challenges
The Cowboys are clearly feeling the impact of their injury-depleted lineup. Despite the setbacks, some players have stepped up. Last Sunday against the Saints, tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. Quarterback Dak Prescott praised the young talents, "Those young tight ends [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] did a good job. Simply, they did a good job. 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."
Optimism Amid Concerns
Prescott remains confident about Ferguson's possible return, "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."
Head coach McCarthy echoed this optimism, "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."
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, their resilience in the face of adversity will be put to the test. Both teams are grappling with injuries, but the game will undoubtedly demand the best from every player stepping onto the field.