The Dallas Cowboys enter Week 3 with a sense of caution, as the team contends with various injuries that could impact their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens. Key players, including wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs, were noticeably absent from practice sessions this week.
Lamb, dealing with an ankle injury, and Diggs, nursing a foot injury, were both spotted walking around the locker room without any visible discomfort. However, head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that a clearer assessment of their conditions would come following Thursday's padded practice. "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," McCarthy remarked.
Bland and Ferguson's Struggles
Notably, DaRon Bland, who missed Week 2's clash against the New Orleans Saints due to a procedure for a stress fracture in his foot, was seen working individually with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown. While Bland's return to the field is hopeful, his absence in Week 2 was felt deeply by the Cowboys' defense, which conceded touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives.
Adding to the team's woes, tight end Jake Ferguson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Ferguson missed the Week 2 game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, injuries he sustained in the second half of the Cowboys' Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns. "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 shared, underlining the tight end's importance to the team.
Emerging Challenges
Rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith had to exit practice early on Wednesday due to a back injury, creating another logistical challenge for the team's already beleaguered defensive line.
Despite these setbacks, the Cowboys have received notable contributions from other players stepping up. For instance, the young tight ends, including Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, have managed to hold their own in Ferguson's absence. "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," said quarterback Dak Prescott.
The challenge for the Cowboys will be to maintain their competitive edge despite these injuries. To do so, they will need to rely on the depth of their roster and the resilience of their players. As they prepare for their showdown against the Ravens, keeping key players like Lamb, Diggs, and Ferguson healthy will be essential for both their short-term and long-term success.