Dallas Cowboys Face Uncertainty Amid Injury Concerns Ahead of Week 3 Showdown with Ravens
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 clash with the Baltimore Ravens, injury woes cast a shadow over their preparations. Key players' availability remains uncertain, potentially complicating an already challenging match-up.
The Cowboys are reeling from a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints, where defensive lapses were glaringly evident. Their defense allowed touchdowns on the first six drives, and Alvin Kamara ran rampant with 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs, reflecting on the team's subpar defensive performance, succinctly labeled it as "unacceptable."
Throughout the week, the Cowboys' practice sessions have been marked by significant absences. Standout wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs missed Wednesday's practice due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, both returned in a limited capacity on Thursday, with Diggs participating in stretching exercises under the supervision of director of rehab, Britt Brown. The uncertainty lingers around Diggs' performance against Baltimore, putting the team on edge.
Injuries extend beyond Lamb and Diggs. Tight end Jake Ferguson, who had to sit out the Saints game due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, practiced in a limited fashion on both Wednesday and Thursday. Head Coach Mike McCarthy expressed cautious optimism about Ferguson's return, noting, "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." Quarterback Dak Prescott shared a similarly hopeful outlook: "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."
Despite the injury setbacks, some positives emerged from the Cowboys' efforts against the Saints. Rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker shone brightly, catching all six of his targets and accumulating 43 receiving yards. Prescott acknowledged the contributions of the young tight ends, stating, "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."
The Ravens, dealing with their own injury concerns, had rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins limited in practice due to a neck/concussion injury. Additionally, Kyle Hamilton made a limited return to practice coming off a back injury, which could have implications for the Ravens' defensive scheme against Dallas.
Mazi Smith's absence from practice on Thursday after leaving the field with a back injury on Wednesday adds another layer of complexity for the Cowboys. The defensive coaching staff must adapt quickly, ensuring that the remaining fit players are well-prepared to confront Baltimore's aggressive offensive approach.
Amid these injury woes, it is clear that the Cowboys must rely on resilience and depth. McCarthy underscored the vital role of Ferguson within the team, saying, "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."
With several key players working their way back to full fitness, the team’s focus is on strategic adjustments and mental toughness. The week's practice has been a balancing act between cautious recovery and rigorous preparation. The upcoming Ravens confrontation will test the Cowboys’ adaptations under pressure. All eyes will be on how adaptive, resourceful, and resilient the team can be in the face of adversity.