The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, but the team faces significant challenges due to a slew of injuries to key players. Coming off a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints, where the defense struggled mightily, allowing touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first six drives and 115 rushing yards along with three touchdowns to Alvin Kamara, the Cowboys are hopeful for a stronger performance against Baltimore. However, their roster's health remains a primary concern.
Player Injuries and Return to Practice
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, both crucial to the Cowboys' success, missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Fortunately, they made a partial return on Thursday. Lamb participated in more activities, reporting his ankle was feeling better after taking a day to rest. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb stated, giving the team reason to be cautiously optimistic. For Diggs, the situation is less clear. He engaged in some stretching before consulting with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. Head Coach Mike McCarthy commented on Diggs' 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."
Meanwhile, another critical player, Jake Ferguson, who missed the last game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, returned to practice in a limited capacity both Wednesday and Thursday. McCarthy praised Ferguson, highlighting his importance to the team: "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."
Defensive Unit Under Scrutiny
The defensive gaps exposed against the Saints have not gone unnoticed. Trevon Diggs labeled the performance as "unacceptable," indicating the unit's frustration and determination to improve. With their upcoming game against the Ravens, known for their dynamic offense, the Cowboys' defense will need significant adjustments. Adding to their woes, Mazi Smith exited practice on Wednesday due to a back injury and missed Thursday’s practice session. His presence on the field in Baltimore is now uncertain, further complicating the defensive lineup.
Baltimore’s Injury Concerns
On the other side, the Baltimore Ravens also have their own injury concerns. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a neck/concussion injury, casting doubt on his availability. Furthermore, Kyle Hamilton, recovering from a back injury, returned to practice in a limited fashion, adding another layer of uncertainty to their defensive preparations.
Offensive Contributions and Outlook
Despite the previous game's setbacks, some Cowboys players had standout performances. Luke Schoonmaker, stepping up in the absence of Ferguson, caught all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards, showcasing his reliability as a target. Reflecting on the young players filling in, Dak Prescott acknowledged their efforts, "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."
The Cowboys are clearly facing a critical stretch early in the season, with the individuals' health playing a vital role in their ability to bounce back. As they prepare to meet the Ravens, the urgency to mend their defensive inefficiencies and ensure their key offensive players are game-ready is paramount. CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs’ partial returns to practice offer a glimmer of hope, but much will depend on final evaluations leading up to game day.
Overall, while the franchise must address various injuries and defensive shortcomings, the resilience and potential shown by the squad’s emerging talents may provide the spark needed to turn their season around.