As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their crucial Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the specter of injuries looms large over the team. Key players have been sidelined, and the team's recent loss to the New Orleans Saints has prompted an urgent need for a turnaround.
Injury Woes and Limited Practices
Among the notable absentees from practice this week were wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs, both nursing injuries sustained in previous games. Lamb, dealing with an ankle issue, and Diggs, with a foot injury, missed Wednesday's session but made a limited return on Thursday. “Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday],” Lamb explained, indicating a cautious approach to his recovery.
Trevon Diggs, who participated in stretching but later worked with the director of rehab Britt Brown, remains an uncertain prospect for the game against Baltimore. His absence could be critical, especially after he labeled the defensive lapses against the Saints as "Unacceptable."
Tight end Jake Ferguson's return to practice added a glimmer of hope for the Cowboys. Ferguson, who missed the Saints game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy expressed optimism about Ferguson’s return, stating, “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.”
Tough Loss to the Saints
The Cowboys' previous 24-38 defeat against the New Orleans Saints exposed critical vulnerabilities, especially on the defensive front. Allowing the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives, the Cowboys' defense was a major concern. Alvin Kamara's standout performance, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns, further underscored the defensive struggles.
Quarterback Dak Prescott praised the efforts of young tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, who stepped up in Ferguson's absence. Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, amassing 43 receiving yards. “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,” Prescott remarked.
Ravens Face Their Own Challenges
The Baltimore Ravens also face injury concerns heading into the matchup. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion after dealing with a back injury. Both players' statuses are pivotal as the Ravens prepare to counter a Dallas offense looking to rebound from last week's performance.
Looking Ahead to the Matchup
With both teams grappling with critical injuries, the forthcoming game could hinge on the ability of sidelined stars to return and contribute. The Cowboys, motivated by their recent shortcomings, need a strong showing from both healthy players and those returning from injury to turn their season around.
Amid the uncertainty and pressure, the resolve and performance of players like CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and Jake Ferguson will be instrumental. As head coach Mike McCarthy noted, the decisions leading into game day and the feedback from practice sessions will ultimately determine the lineup. “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," McCarthy articulated, summing up the cautious optimism surrounding the team's preparations.
While the final roster remains in flux, one thing is certain: This game is shaping up to be a pivotal clash for both franchises. The Cowboys' ability to shore up their defense and the Ravens’ capacity to adapt to their own injury challenges will set the stage for an intriguing contest come Sunday.