The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens with several key players recovering from injuries. After a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints, where defensive lapses allowed touchdowns on the first six drives, the Cowboys are looking for a rebound but face challenges with their injury list.
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs have been dealing with ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Lamb missed practice on Wednesday but returned in a limited capacity on Thursday. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb said, suggesting some cautious optimism about his availability for Sunday.
Trevon Diggs' situation is a bit more ambiguous. He was limited to stretching and worked closely with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. Diggs' performance against the Ravens remains uncertain, and his absence on the field could be significant considering his critical role in the defense. Reflecting on the defensive issues, Diggs labeled their previous performance as "unacceptable," indicating the unit's determination to improve.
Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, has shown progress as he practiced on both Wednesday and Thursday, albeit in a limited capacity. Head Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged Ferguson's importance, saying, "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." McCarthy remains hopeful about Ferguson's return, highlighting his role in the team's overall morale and physical play.
The Ravens are also dealing with their own injury issues. Cornerback Nate Wiggins was limited in practice on Thursday due to a neck and concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton made a limited return following a back injury. The status of these players will be crucial as the Ravens' defense looks to contain the Cowboys' high-powered offense.
One of the bright spots for the Cowboys in their recent defeat was the performance of Luke Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] did a good job," said quarterback Dak Prescott. "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's comments underscore the value of Ferguson beyond statistics. While replacements like Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford are stepping up, having Ferguson back would add a critical edge to both their physical and emotional game. Prescott's confidence in Ferguson was evident when he added, "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."
Another concern for the Cowboys is the health of defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who left practice on Wednesday with a back injury and did not participate on Thursday. His condition remains uncertain, posing further challenges for a defense that struggled significantly against the Saints, especially against the run as Alvin Kamara rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns.
As the Cowboys look to regroup and prepare to face the Ravens, the focus will be on the health and availability of their key players. The resilience and depth of the roster will be tested, and the response to recent setbacks will determine whether they can reverse their fortunes this Sunday. Cowboy Nation remains hopeful that the team's injured stars will make enough of a recovery to contribute effectively on the field.