As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens, they are grappling with a series of injuries to some of their key players. The toll of these injuries was evident in their recent loss to the New Orleans Saints, where the Cowboys allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives.
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, two crucial components of the Cowboys' lineup, missed Wednesday's practice due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, there is a glimmer of hope as both players made a limited return to practice on Thursday. Lamb remarked on his situation, stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Injury Concerns Loom Over Cowboys
Trevon Diggs' involvement in the game against Baltimore remains in doubt. Despite his return to stretching exercises, he mainly worked with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized a cautious approach, saying, "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."
The defensive struggles were apparent in the previous game against the Saints, as Alvin Kamara ran riot, accumulating 115 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs, reflecting on the defensive lapses, bluntly stated, "Unacceptable."
Jake Ferguson's Comeback
Jake Ferguson, who missed the Saints game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. The optimism surrounding his return is palpable, with quarterback Dak Prescott praising Ferguson's efforts: "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."
McCarthy echoed Prescott's sentiments regarding Ferguson's importance to the team, emphasizing his leadership on and off the field. "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 noted.
Ravens Injury Update
Meanwhile, the Ravens are also dealing with their own injury woes. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a neck/concussion injury. Additionally, safety Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice after dealing with a back injury.
Unexpected Performances and Challenges
Despite the defensive challenges, some of the younger players showed promise against the Saints. Rookie tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford stepped up in Ferguson's absence. Schoonmaker, in particular, caught all six of his targets, gaining 43 receiving yards.
Prescott commended their efforts, stating, "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."
Adding to the Cowboys' injury list, Mazi Smith left Wednesday's practice with a back injury and missed Thursday's session as well, further straining the team's defensive front.
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens with more questions than answers regarding the availability of key players. The ability to adapt and integrate recovering players while maintaining competitive performance will be crucial in their quest for victory.