The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a crucial Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, navigating a landscape riddled with injuries to key players. The team’s recent loss to the New Orleans Saints, a game in which the Cowboys allowed touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives, has intensified the pressure on a team looking to regain its foothold in the NFC.
Injury Concerns
Among the notable absences in practice were CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, both nursing injuries that raise questions about their availability for the upcoming game. Lamb, dealing with an ankle issue, missed practice on Wednesday but made a limited return on Thursday. Reflecting on his absence, Lamb remarked, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]." Trevon Diggs, sidelined with a foot injury, was also a limited participant, engaging primarily in stretching and working with director of rehab Britt Brown. His participation against the Ravens remains uncertain.
Head coach Mike McCarthy provided some insight into Diggs' recovery process, stating, "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." The defensive unit, having faced significant lapses against the Saints, will undoubtedly miss Diggs if he is unable to suit up. Diggs himself labeled the recent defensive performance as "Unacceptable."
Ferguson's Battle Back
Another player on the road to recovery is tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the Saints game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Ferguson has been participating in practice on a limited basis, and quarterback Dak Prescott was optimistic about his return, saying, "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week... But he's obviously been out there. He's looked good."
McCarthy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Ferguson's importance to the team: "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."
Ravens Facing Their Own Injuries
The Baltimore Ravens also have their share of injury concerns ahead of the matchup. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury. Additionally, standout safety Kyle Hamilton has returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury, adding to the list of uncertainties for the Ravens’ defense.
Key Performances and Anticipations
Despite the loss to the Saints, there were some bright spots. Luke Schoonmaker showcased his potential by catching all six of his targets, totalling 43 receiving yards. Dak Prescott acknowledged the efforts of the young tight ends, noting, "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... those other guys did play well. They did their job and stepped up. They made some plays."
However, the Cowboys' defense struggled to contain the Saints’ running game, allowing Alvin Kamara to rush for 115 yards and score three touchdowns. This defensive vulnerability will be a focal point as the Cowboys prepare for the Ravens’ dynamic offense.
The Cowboys' preparation continues under a cloud of injuries and questions about player availability, but the returning limited participation of key players shows a glimmer of hope. As the team looks to bounce back and improve upon their defensive lapses, every practice session and medical evaluation will be pivotal in shaping their performance against the Ravens.