Cowboys Prep for Ravens with Injury Challenges Looming
The Dallas Cowboys have embarked on their preparations for a crucial Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but several key players’ injuries have cast a shadow over their practice sessions. Amidst a flurry of rehabilitation efforts and a tightly managed practice schedule, the Cowboys are focused on regrouping after a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Key Players Return to Practice
Both wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs were absent from practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, both made a limited return on Thursday. Lamb shared his thoughts on his injury, stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Diggs, who participated in stretching but worked with the director of rehab Britt Brown instead of fully engaging in drills, seemed more cautious. His return is being carefully monitored, and his performance against Baltimore remains uncertain.
Jake Ferguson's Crucial Role
One of the significant concerns for the Cowboys is the health of Pro Bowl tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the humiliating 44-19 loss against the Saints with a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Ferguson managed to practice in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Dak Prescott is optimistic about Ferguson's condition, emphasizing how vital the tight end is to the team’s dynamic. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week," Prescott said. "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 Mike McCarthy echoed Prescott's sentiment but adopted a cautious approach: "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."
Baltimore’s Injury Woes
The Ravens are not without their own struggles, as standout rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins suited up only as a limited participant on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice due to a neck/concussion injury. Kyle Hamilton also returned in a limited fashion following a back injury that sidelined him a day earlier. These injuries could significantly impact Baltimore’s defensive strategy against a Cowboys team looking to bounce back.
Saints' Game Fallout
The Cowboys’ last outing against the Saints exposed glaring vulnerabilities, particularly on defense. They surrendered touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives, allowing Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara to rush for 115 yards and score three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs, questioning the team's defensive lapses, labeled the performance as "Unacceptable."
Mazi Smith, the starting defensive tackle, added to the Cowboys’ injury woes by walking off the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury. Notably, Smith was absent from Thursday’s practice, increasing concerns about the team’s depth on the defensive line.
Emerging Talents and Their Contributions
Despite the mounting injuries, emerging talents like Luke Schoonmaker have stepped up to fill the void. Against the Saints, Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. Prescott acknowledged the young tight ends’ contributions: "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."
Looking Forward
As the Cowboys gear up for their clash with the Ravens, the return of key players remains a priority. Coach McCarthy remains hopeful about Ferguson’s participation: "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."
With significant injuries on both sides, the upcoming game promises to be a test of resilience for both the Cowboys and Ravens. Each team will have to rely on their depth and adaptability, making the Week 3 matchup a potentially defining moment in their respective seasons.