The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, yet they confront a series of injury concerns that might affect their performance. Just coming off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Cowboys need to address both physical ailments and strategic lapses to ensure a better showing this Sunday.
Key Players Nursing Injuries
Among those nursing injuries, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs have been significant concerns this week. On Wednesday, both players were sidelined due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, there was a glimmer of hope as they made a limited return to practice on Thursday. While Lamb reported, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Diggs' participation was mostly limited to stretching and working with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. The cornerback's availability for the critical game against Baltimore remains uncertain.
Tight end Jake Ferguson is another essential player dealing with injuries. Having missed the clash against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, Ferguson practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Head Coach Mike McCarthy expressed 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." Ferguson's role goes beyond just the physical presence; as McCarthy disclosed, "Jake's a big part of the heart and soul of that locker room." Quarterback Dak Prescott echoed this sentiment, noting, "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."
Challenging Week for the Defense
The Cowboys' defense is still grappling with their subpar performance against the Saints, where New Orleans scored touchdowns on each of their first six drives, with Alvin Kamara rushing for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs succinctly described the defensive effort as "Unacceptable," a sentiment likely shared across the locker room. Adding to their woes, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday’s practice, another setback for a defense looking to regroup.
Adversity for the Opponents
The Baltimore Ravens are also dealing with injury concerns. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, and safety Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. While not as extensive as the Cowboys' injury list, these issues can still impact Baltimore’s strategy and effectiveness on the field.
Offensive Highlights and Hopes
Despite the loss to the Saints, there were bright spots on offense. Luke Schoonmaker stood out by catching all six of his targets for a total of 43 receiving yards. "Simply, they [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] did a good job." Prescott commended the young tight ends while recognizing Ferguson's absence. "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."
As the Cowboys prepare for a critical game against the Ravens, the hope remains that their key players can recover and contribute. With fierce competition in the NFL, overcoming injuries and strategic failures is vital to maintaining momentum throughout the season. Sunday's performance will be a crucial test of the team's depth, resilience, and ability to bounce back from adversity.