As the Dallas Cowboys began preparations for their Week 3 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, the team took a cautious approach to manage a slew of injuries that have affected key players.
Key Players Sideline by Injuries
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb did not participate in practice due to an ankle injury. Equally troubling for the Cowboys, cornerback Trevon Diggs was also absent, nursing a foot injury. Despite their absence from the field, both Lamb and Diggs were seen moving around the locker room without any apparent discomfort, offering a glimmer of hope for their swift return.
The team's head coach, Mike McCarthy, detailed the tentative nature of evaluating the players' conditions. "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, indicating that a clearer assessment would emerge following Thursday’s padded practice.
Meanwhile, DaRon Bland, recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, was present at practice but worked off to the side with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown. Bland missed the previous week's game against the New Orleans Saints, a contest where the Cowboys' defense struggled significantly, conceding touchdowns on the Saints’ first six drives.
Offensive Setbacks
Tight end Jake Ferguson was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. After suffering a bone bruise and MCL sprain during the second half of the Cowboys' Week 1 victory against the Cleveland Browns, Ferguson had to sit out the Week 2 game against the Saints.
McCarthy acknowledged the integral role Ferguson plays on the team, highlighting his leadership and physical presence. "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," McCarthy stated, reflecting a cautious optimism about Ferguson's speedy recovery.
Quarterback Dak Prescott also expressed admiration for Ferguson's contributions, noting the efforts of the young tight ends who had to step up in his absence. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Luke 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," Prescott remarked.
Concerns on Defense
Adding to the list of concerns, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith was forced to leave Wednesday’s practice early due to a back injury. The severity of Smith's injury remains to be clarified, but any potential loss could spell further difficulties for a defense already grappling with significant challenges.
The Cowboys face considerable uncertainty with multiple important players coping with injuries as they prepare to take on a formidable Ravens squad. The team's performance in the upcoming game will largely hinge on the availability and effectiveness of these key players.
As the week progresses, further updates on the conditions of Lamb, Diggs, Ferguson, Bland, and Smith will provide clearer insights into how the Cowboys will approach this crucial matchup. For now, they will continue to navigate through these injury challenges with hopes of emerging stronger.