Cowboys Gear Up for Week 3 Against Ravens Amid Injury Woes
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the spotlight is undoubtedly on their injury-ravaged roster. After a disheartening loss to the New Orleans Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on every one of the Saints' first six drives, the Cowboys are seeking redemption. However, they face multiple questions about the availability of key players.
Injury Report: Key Players in Limbo
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs were notable absentees in practice on Wednesday, sidelined by ankle and foot injuries, respectively. The situation somewhat improved by Thursday, as both players made limited returns. "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]," Lamb disclosed. Meanwhile, Diggs, although participating in stretching exercises, spent most of the session with the team's director of rehabilitation, Britt Brown. His readiness for the upcoming game remains uncertain, casting a cloud over the Cowboys' defense.
Mike McCarthy provided insight into Diggs' cautious return: "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."
Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, represents another significant concern. The tight end practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. "Oh, Jake will be awesome. He's looked great. He looked great last week," said quarterback Dak Prescott. "If it was a more important game later in the season, Jake probably could have went then. But he's obviously been out there. He's looked good."
McCarthy also echoed optimism about Ferguson’s potential return: "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' Injury Concerns
The Cowboys aren’t the only team grappling with injury issues. The Baltimore Ravens face their own challenges, with rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins limited in practice on Thursday due to a neck and concussion injury. Additionally, Kyle Hamilton, another significant defensive player, has only just returned to practice in a limited fashion after suffering a back injury.
Both teams will be keeping a close eye on their injury reports leading up to Sunday’s game, understanding that the availability of key players could turn the tide in a matchup that already promises to be fiercely competitive.
Defense Needs Redemption
The Cowboys’ defensive performance against the Saints leaves little room for error moving forward. Allowing Alvin Kamara to rush for 115 yards and three touchdowns was a glaring example of their defensive woes. Trevon Diggs described the lapses succinctly: "Unacceptable."
The players understand the urgency of tightening up their defense. With the Ravens known for their dynamic offense, led by a young and talented quarterback, the Cowboys’ defense will need to be at their best to avoid a repeat of last week's breakdowns.
Offensive Glimmers of Hope
Despite the setbacks, there were bright spots in the game against the Saints. Luke Schoonmaker delivered an impressive performance, catching all six of his targets and amassing 43 receiving yards. Dak Prescott acknowledged the contributions from the tight ends: "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."
Anticipation builds as the Cowboys look to bounce back. Although Ferguson's potential return is anticipated to bolster the team, Prescott praised the efforts of his backups: "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."
Focus on Rehabilitation
One more concern for the Cowboys is Mazi Smith, who left the practice field on Wednesday with a back injury and missed Thursday’s practice. The team’s medical staff will be working meticulously to ensure that the players who are cleared to play are at optimal fitness levels.
As kickoff approaches, the Cowboys and Ravens are both anxiously monitoring their injured stars. With a critical game on the horizon, the next few days of practice and rehabilitation will be pivotal in shaping the Week 3 showdown.