The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens amidst a series of injury concerns that have raised questions about the team's readiness. As the Cowboys seek to rebound from a demoralizing defeat to the New Orleans Saints, the health status of key players has taken center stage.
Injury Woes in Dallas
The Cowboys' injury report this week is extensive and troubling. Standout wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and promising cornerback Trevon Diggs were absent from Wednesday's practice. Lamb's ankle and Diggs' foot have been sources of concern, though both players managed a limited return to the practice field on Thursday. Diggs' participation was particularly tentative; he joined stretching but spent much of his time under the watchful eye of the director of rehab, Britt Brown. The cornerback’s performance against Baltimore remains uncertain. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," said Lamb.
Meanwhile, tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the previous game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. His potential return is eagerly anticipated by his teammates. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great," said quarterback Dak Prescott. "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."
Baltimore's Preparations and Injuries
Baltimore is also dealing with injury issues of its own. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was limited on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, while Kyle Hamilton marked his return to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. These developments are crucial as the Ravens aim to maintain their defensive solidity against a Cowboys team looking to bounce back from a shaky performance.
Defensive Struggles
The Cowboys' defense is under scrutiny after allowing the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives, with Alvin Kamara rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs minced no words in describing the defensive lapses, calling the performance "unacceptable." Head coach Mike McCarthy's comments indicate a sense of urgency to turn things around. "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 said about Ferguson.
Offensive Contributions
On the offensive side, some bright spots have emerged. Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets against the Saints, amassing 43 receiving yards, demonstrating reliability amid the team's struggles. Prescott had positive remarks about the young tight ends stepping up. "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," said Prescott.
Hopes for Recovery
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, the lingering question is whether key players can return to form and bolster the team’s chances. The recovery of Jake Ferguson could be crucial, not just for his on-field contributions but also for his role as a locker room leader. "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," coach McCarthy added.
The Cowboys' resilience will be tested, and how they navigate these injury setbacks could define their early season trajectory. Their ability to integrate recovering players effectively against a dynamic Ravens team will be key to regaining momentum and securing a vital win in Week 3.