As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, they find themselves navigating a minefield of injuries that could potentially impact their performance. Among the most notable casualties are CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, both of whom have been pivotal to the team's efforts this season.
Key Players Nursing Injuries
CeeDee Lamb missed practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury but remained optimistic about his condition. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb stated. By Thursday, Lamb had made a limited return to the practice field, signaling a positive step towards his availability on game day.
Trevon Diggs, dealing with a foot injury, also missed Wednesday's practice but participated in stretching exercises on Thursday. However, his involvement was primarily with the director of rehab, Britt Brown, indicating that his readiness for the Baltimore game remains uncertain. Diggs himself voiced frustration over the team's defensive performance against the New Orleans Saints, labeling it "unacceptable."
Jake Ferguson's Status
Tight end Jake Ferguson was sidelined from the matchup against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain. However, he practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday this week, providing a glimmer of hope for his return. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed cautious optimism, 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." McCarthy further underscored Ferguson's significance, "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."
Performance Against Baltimore Uncertain
The uncertainty surrounding these key players is compounded by the Cowboys' lackluster defensive performance against the Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on each of the first six drives. Alvin Kamara had a field day against the Cowboys' defense, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Mazi Smith, another defensive asset, left practice on Wednesday with a back injury and was absent from Thursday's session, further adding to the team's woes.
Ravens' Health Issues
The Baltimore Ravens are also dealing with their share of injury concerns. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a neck/concussion issue. In addition, Kyle Hamilton, who had been sidelined with a back injury, made a limited return to practice, which could bolster the Ravens' defense against the Cowboys.
Bright Spots Amidst Challenges
Despite the injuries, there were some bright spots for the Cowboys. Luke Schoonmaker stepped up in the game against the Saints, catching all six of his targets and amassing 43 receiving yards. Dak Prescott spoke favorably about the young tight ends filling in for Ferguson, noting, "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."
Cowboys fans will be watching closely as the team heads into a crucial matchup against the Ravens. With Diggs’ and Lamb’s statuses up in the air and Ferguson making a tentative return, the stakes are high for the Cowboys to bounce back and mitigate the impact of their recent injuries. How they manage these challenges could very well define their performance in Week 3 and set the tone for the rest of the season.