As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, they find themselves facing a series of challenges, notably from significant injuries plaguing key players. The disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints last week accentuated the urgency for the Cowboys to regroup and fortify their ranks.
Injury Woes
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs both missed practice on Wednesday due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. However, there was a glimmer of hope as both made a limited return to practice on Thursday. Lamb reassured fans about his condition, stating, "Ankle is cool. It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday]."
Despite this, Trevon Diggs' participation against the Ravens remains uncertain. Head coach Mike McCarthy shed some light on Diggs' status, explaining, "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."
Meanwhile, tight end Jake Ferguson, who missed the game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, participated in a limited capacity during practices on both Wednesday and Thursday. His presence on the field is eagerly awaited, not only for his skill set but also for the leadership he brings. "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 said, echoing the sentiments of the team.
Ravens Battling Injuries Too
The Ravens are not without their injury concerns. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was a limited participant on Thursday, dealing with a neck/concussion injury. Kyle Hamilton returned to practice in a limited fashion after suffering a back injury. Their statuses could be pivotal as the Ravens prepare to face a Cowboys team eager to rebound from its recent defeat.
Reflection on the Saints Game
The game against the Saints exposed critical vulnerabilities in the Cowboys' defense. Allowing touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives, Dallas found themselves on the backfoot early. Star running back Alvin Kamara capitalized on this lapse, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Trevon Diggs succinctly captured the team's frustration by labeling the defensive performance as "unacceptable."
One of the few positive takeaways from the game was rookie Luke Schoonmaker's performance. Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets, accruing 43 receiving yards—a feat that did not go unnoticed. Quarterback Dak Prescott praised the young tight end's efforts while emphasizing the collective growth seen among the team's young players. "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. 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," he said, reflecting on the game.
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys work through these adversities, the focus will remain on ensuring their key players are fit and ready to deliver. The blend of veteran leadership and emergent young talent will be crucial as the team faces the Ravens and attempts to steer their season back on course.
Cowboys fans will remain hopeful that the return of players like CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson can inject the necessary vigor into the team's lineup. With a challenging contest ahead, the Cowboys' resilience and adaptability will be put to the test, but early signs suggest they are determined to overcome these hurdles.