As the Dallas Cowboys geared up for Week 3, their practice sessions were marked by a palpable sense of caution and concern, attributable to a string of injuries afflicting key players. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs were both notable absentees from practice, each nursing lower-body ailments.
Lamb and Diggs: A Mixed Bag of Optimism
CeeDee Lamb missed the practice due to an ankle injury, a concerning development given his significance to the Cowboys' offensive scheme. Trevon Diggs, dealing with a foot injury, was also sidelined. However, both players' movements off the field suggested a silver lining. Observers noted that Lamb and Diggs maneuvered around the locker room without obvious discomfort, offering a glimmer of hope for their potential involvement in the upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy addressed the situation with cautious optimism. “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 said, indicating that a more definitive assessment would come after Thursday’s padded practice.
Another player under the injury spotlight was DaRon Bland, who was seen working with Britt Brown, the team’s director of rehab. Bland had missed Week 2 following a procedure for a stress fracture in his foot. The defense’s struggles were highlighted in Bland’s absence, as they conceded touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives, underscoring the pivotal nature of his potential return.
Jake Ferguson’s Determination
Meanwhile, tight end Jake Ferguson was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, a promising sign given his recent bout with a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Ferguson's injuries were sustained in the second half of the Cowboys’ Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns, causing him to miss the subsequent game against the New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Dak Prescott lauded Ferguson's contributions beyond mere statistics. “Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Luke 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,” Prescott noted, highlighting Ferguson's influence both on the field and in the locker room.
Coach McCarthy echoed Prescott’s sentiments, emphasizing Ferguson’s integral role in the team's morale and performance. “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 stated.
New Concerns for Mazi Smith
Rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith emerged as another concern after he had to leave practice early on Wednesday with a back injury. Smith's condition adds to the growing list of injuries the Cowboys are grappling with, posing further questions about the team’s readiness for their impending clash with the Ravens.
The string of injuries has undoubtedly placed the Cowboys in a precarious situation ahead of Week 3. While the team holds onto hope for quick recoveries and positive updates following the next few practices, there’s an undeniable air of uncertainty regarding the availability of several key players. As they prepare to take on a formidable Baltimore Ravens team, the Cowboys’ medical and coaching staff will be closely monitoring the status of their ailing stars, hoping for a swift turnaround that would fortify their lineup for the challenging game ahead.