The Dallas Cowboys face significant challenges as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The team is dealing with a spate of injuries that could impact key players' availability and performance on game day.
Key Injuries
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs are among the critical players nursing injuries. Lamb and Diggs both missed practice on Wednesday, with Lamb's ankle and Diggs' foot being the areas of concern. However, on Thursday, they made limited returns to practice, offering a glimmer of hope for their inclusion in the game against Baltimore. Lamb tried to downplay the issue, saying, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' quarterback, had high praise for tight end Jake Ferguson, who has been battling a bone bruise and MCL sprain. Ferguson was absent in the game against the Saints but practiced in a limited capacity on both Wednesday and Thursday. Prescott expressed confidence in Ferguson's abilities, stating, "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."
Coaches' Concerns
Head Coach Mike McCarthy remains cautiously optimistic about his players' recovery trajectories. Addressing Diggs' situation, McCarthy mentioned, "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." He also emphasized 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."
Defensive Woes
The Cowboys are coming off a rough loss to the New Orleans Saints, where they allowed touchdowns on each of the first six drives. This defensive lapse did not sit well with Trevon Diggs, who bluntly called it, "Unacceptable." The team will need to tighten their defense, especially against a robust Ravens offense. Alvin Kamara’s performance against the Cowboys was a highlight, as he rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns, exposing significant gaps in their defense.
Emerging Players
Despite these setbacks, some players are stepping up. Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets against the Saints, amassing 43 receiving yards. Dak Prescott also took note of the team’s tight ends, saying, "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...but those other guys did play well. They did their job and stepped up."
Opponent's Health
The Ravens are not without their concerns either. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday due to a neck/concussion injury, and Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion following a back injury. These injuries might affect their defensive capabilities, providing an opening for the Cowboys to exploit.
As the Cowboys prepare for the Ravens, the health and availability of key players will undeniably play a critical role. With several stars returning to limited practice, there remains cautious optimism, but the uncertainty lingers. The pressure will be on both the coaching staff and the players to adapt and perform under these challenging circumstances. Will the Cowboys tighten their defense and rise to the occasion, or will injuries and recent defensive lapses continue to haunt them? Only time will tell.