The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for what promises to be a challenging Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, but the team is facing a slew of injury concerns that could significantly impact their performance on the field.
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and standout cornerback Trevon Diggs have both been nursing injuries sustained earlier in the season. Lamb, dealing with an ankle injury, missed practice on Wednesday but made a limited return on Thursday. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb commented, reflecting a cautiously optimistic outlook on his condition.
On the defensive side, Trevon Diggs' condition remains more uncertain. Diggs, who missed Wednesday's practice due to a foot injury, participated only in stretching exercises on Thursday under the supervision of director of rehab Britt Brown. Head coach Mike McCarthy offered a tentative evaluation, 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."
However, the Cowboys' injury woes don't end there. Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the previous game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced on both Wednesday and Thursday, albeit in a limited capacity. Despite his injury, Ferguson remains an integral part of the team both on and off the field. "Jake's a big part of the heart and soul of that locker room. No question about it," said McCarthy. "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 echoed McCarthy's sentiments and praised Ferguson's resilience. "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 stated.
Adding to the growing list of injury concerns is the uncertain status of defensive lineman Mazi Smith, who left Wednesday's practice early with a back injury and did not participate on Thursday. Given the Cowboys' recent defensive struggles, Smith's potential absence could be a critical blow. The Cowboys allowed the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives, a performance described by Diggs as "unacceptable."
Meanwhile, the Ravens are also dealing with key injuries. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck and concussion injury, while defensive back Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited capacity after dealing with a back issue. The availability of these players could be pivotal for the Ravens as they prepare to face a Cowboys offense that can be explosive, especially if key players return to form.
Reflecting on the Cowboys' previous game, where they suffered a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints, Prescott offered a balanced perspective. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [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."
In that game, running back Alvin Kamara torched the Cowboys' defense, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker was a bright spot, catching all six of his targets for a total of 43 receiving yards, but it was not enough to overcome the defensive lapses that plagued the Cowboys.
As both teams work through their respective injury challenges, the upcoming game holds significant implications for each side. For the Cowboys, a return to form for their key players could make all the difference in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle against the Ravens.