As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the team faces a host of injury concerns. The prior week's disappointing defeat to the New Orleans Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on each of the first six drives, looms large over the squad. Cowboys' key players like CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and Jake Ferguson have been grappling with injuries, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their forthcoming performance.
Injury Updates and Player Status
CeeDee Lamb, who missed Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, made a cautious return to practice on Thursday. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb explained, signaling optimism regarding his condition. Trevon Diggs, dealing with a foot injury, also returned to practice on Thursday but participated in a limited capacity, engaging primarily in stretching exercises with the director of rehab Britt Brown. His availability for the Baltimore game remains ambiguous, though the team is hopeful for his recovery.
"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, adding, "Trevon Diggs' performance against Baltimore remains uncertain."
Adding to the Cowboys' woes, rookie tight end Jake Ferguson missed last week’s game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Nevertheless, Ferguson practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. His potential return brings a glimmer of hope. “Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week,” said quarterback Dak Prescott. “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."
McCarthy echoed this sentiment: "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."
The injury list doesn’t end there. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith left Wednesday's practice with a back injury and did not participate in Thursday's session. The situation remains precarious as the team approaches the crucial game against Baltimore.
Challenges Ahead
Baltimore also has its share of injury issues. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. Despite these setbacks, the Cowboys can't afford to underestimate the Ravens, who are known for capitalizing on their opponents' weaknesses.
The loss to the Saints highlighted significant defensive lapses, as the Cowboys struggled to contain Alvin Kamara, who rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs didn’t mince words when he called the team’s defensive performance “Unacceptable.” The defense will need to tighten up to prevent a repeat of last week's meltdown.
Nevertheless, amidst these challenges, there were some bright spots. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets against the Saints, amassing 43 receiving yards. Despite the team's reliance on players stepping in due to injuries, Prescott recognized their contributions. "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," he said, though he admitted the game did "just got away from us."
Focus and Resolution
As they prepare for the Ravens, the Cowboys are under pressure to rectify these issues and put forth a cohesive team effort. The uncertainty surrounding key players' availability only adds to the tension, but the team remains focused on making the necessary adjustments.
The upcoming game will be a litmus test for a Cowboys team striving to overcome injuries and rediscover its competitive edge. In the unpredictable world of sports, the resilience and adaptability of a team often determine its fate. The Dallas Cowboys hope that amidst the array of challenges, they can rally their forces, heal their wounds, and forge ahead against the Ravens.