As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens, the team's preparations are overshadowed by a slew of injuries to key players. Coming off a disheartening loss to the New Orleans Saints, where defensive lapses allowed the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives, the Cowboys' resilience will be tested once again.
Injury Woes
Among the injured, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs missed practice on Wednesday owing to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Although both made a limited return on Thursday, the extent of their recovery remains uncertain. Lamb downplayed his injury, saying, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]." Meanwhile, Diggs took part only in pre-practice stretching, working closely with the director of rehabilitation, Britt Brown.
Tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, also returned to practice in a limited capacity. Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy commented on Ferguson's condition, "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."
Further complicating matters, defensive tackle Mazi Smith departed the practice field on Wednesday due to a back injury and was absent on Thursday as well. These injuries could hinder the Cowboys as they look to bounce back against a formidable Ravens team.
Ravens' Line-Up Concerns
The Baltimore Ravens are not without their own injury issues. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday because of a neck/concussion injury, and safety Kyle Hamilton, recovering from a back injury, also practiced in a limited manner. These absentees could impact the Ravens’ defensive strategies, offering the Cowboys some respite.
Lessons from the Saints Loss
The Cowboys' defense was dismantled by the Saints, particularly by Alvin Kamara, who rushed for 115 yards and scored three touchdowns. This defensive frailty was summed up by Trevon Diggs, who simply called it "Unacceptable." The loss highlighted glaring weaknesses, especially in controlling dynamic running backs.
However, there were bright spots. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, totaling 43 receiving yards. Despite the offensive struggles, he proved to be a reliable target. In the wake of Ferguson's absence, Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford rose to the occasion. Quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged their efforts, stating, "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends did a good job. Simply, they did a good job."
Optimism Amidst Adversity
Despite the setbacks, there is a cautious optimism within the Cowboys' camp. Dak Prescott is particularly hopeful about Jake Ferguson's re-integration into the lineup. "Oh, 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," said Prescott.
Head coach McCarthy 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," said McCarthy. The return of such a pivotal player could prove vital in patching up the gaps revealed by recent defensive shortcomings.
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, they are keen to rectify their flaws and demonstrate their resilience. It remains to be seen how the injured players will perform and whether they can make a significant impact. What is clear, however, is the resolve within the team to turn the tide and regain their winning ways.