The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but their preparation has not been without challenges. Key players are grappling with injuries, raising concerns about their availability and the team's performance on Sunday.
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs have been the focus of much attention this week. Both players missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries respectively. Lamb, however, made a limited return to the field on Thursday, and Diggs participated in stretching and worked closely with the director of rehab, Britt Brown. The outlook for Diggs remains uncertain, as he continues to be evaluated. Speaking about his condition, Lamb remarked, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Trevon Diggs' uncertainty adds to the Cowboys' defensive woes following a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints, where Dallas allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first six drives. Reflecting on the defensive lapses, Diggs bluntly stated, "Unacceptable."
Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, returned to practice in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. His potential return could bolster the Cowboys' offense. Head Coach Mike McCarthy provided an update on Ferguson's status, saying, "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 further emphasized Ferguson’s importance: "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."
Quarterback Dak Prescott shares this optimism, 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. But he's obviously been out there. He's looked good." Prescott also praised the young tight ends who stepped up in Ferguson’s absence: "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] did a good job."
Baltimore is dealing with its share of injury issues as well. Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to neck and concussion concerns. Meanwhile, Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. The status of these players will be crucial as the Ravens face a Dallas team hungry to rebound from their previous loss.
Adding to the Cowboys' injury report, Mazi Smith left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and did not participate on Thursday. His absence further complicates Dallas's defensive lineup, which must improve after their recent struggles against the Saints. Alvin Kamara's performance, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns, exposed significant vulnerabilities that the Cowboys must address.
Despite these setbacks, the Cowboys saw a standout performance from Luke Schoonmaker, who caught all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards against the Saints. His contributions, combined with a hopeful return of key players, could provide a much-needed boost for the upcoming game against Baltimore.
As both teams finalize their preparations for Week 3, the health and readiness of key players on either side will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the outcome. With star players like CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs under medical watch and Jake Ferguson inching closer to a return, the Cowboys remain hopeful yet cautious. The Ravens too will be monitoring the recuperation of Nate Wiggins and Kyle Hamilton, aiming to field their strongest roster.
The stage is set for a gripping encounter, where roster fitness and tactical adjustments could very well dictate the course of the game.