The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens with a slate of injuries complicating their preparation. Following a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints, where their defense capitulated and allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives, the team looks to rebound but faces a series of challenges on the injury front.
Key Players Nursing Injuries
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been dealing with an ankle injury. Lamb, who missed practice on Wednesday, remarked, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day." He has since made a limited return to practice on Thursday, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook for his participation against the Ravens.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs, absent from Wednesday’s practice due to a foot injury, also made a partial return. However, his status remains uncertain as he worked primarily with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. Diggs characterized the team’s defensive lapses against the Saints as "unacceptable," highlighting the urgency for improvement.
Jake Ferguson’s Status
Tight end Jake Ferguson, sidelined against the Saints with a bone bruise and MCL sprain, has resumed practice in a limited capacity. Head coach Mike McCarthy provided insights into Ferguson’s condition, "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."
Quarterback Dak Prescott echoed the sentiment, praising Ferguson's resilience, "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."
Looming Uncertainties
On the defensive side for the Ravens, rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, while fellow defensive back Kyle Hamilton also returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. These developments could impact the Ravens' defensive strategies, potentially offering a less formidable challenge for the Cowboys’ offense.
Cowboys defensive lineman Mazi Smith, who left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury, missed Thursday's practice, further complicating the defense’s prospects against Baltimore. With the defense already reeling from their performance against the Saints, where Alvin Kamara rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns, the need for health and stability on the roster is paramount.
Steps Towards Redemption
Despite the setbacks, there have been positive signs. Dak Prescott noted the contributions of backup tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford in Ferguson’s absence. "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."
Schoonmaker's notable performance—securing all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards—offered a glimmer of hope amidst the overall disappointing display against the Saints. The cohesiveness and adaptability of the Cowboys' roster will be crucial as they approach a pivotal game against Baltimore.
As the Cowboys feverishly prepare for their upcoming battle against the Ravens, the narrative of their season hangs in the balance. Their ability to mitigate injuries and capitalize on their strengths will determine if they can rectify the defensive flaws exposed by the Saints and secure a victory on the road to recovery.