The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their Week 3 preparations on a cautious note, juggling a slew of injuries ahead of their highly anticipated clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Key players, including wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs, were notably absent from practice, raising concerns about their availability for the upcoming game. However, both Lamb and Diggs were seen walking around the locker room without apparent discomfort, providing a silver lining amidst the injury cloud.
Injury Concerns for Key Players
CeeDee Lamb missed practice due to an ankle injury, while Trevon Diggs was sidelined with a foot injury. The absence of these pivotal players raised eyebrows, but Coach Mike McCarthy remained cautiously optimistic. "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 commented, indicating a more thorough assessment would follow Thursday's padded practice.
Additionally, DaRon Bland was present at practice, albeit working off to the side with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown. Bland had missed Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints after undergoing a procedure for a stress fracture in his foot. His participation, albeit limited, is a positive sign for the defensive lineup that struggled significantly in his absence. The Cowboys' defense conceded touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives in Week 2, highlighting the pivotal role Bland plays.
Jake Ferguson's Battle with Injury
Another player facing injury woes is Jake Ferguson, who was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. Ferguson missed the Week 2 game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, injuries he sustained in the second half of the Cowboys' Week 1 win against the Cleveland Browns. Coach McCarthy had glowing praise for Ferguson's presence and impact, both on and off the field. "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 added.
The absence of Ferguson was felt deeply, but his replacements managed to hold their own. Quarterback Dak Prescott elaborated on their performance, saying, "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."
Mazi Smith Leaves Practice Early
In a blow to the team's defensive line, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith had to leave practice early on Wednesday with a back injury. Smith's early exit adds another layer of complexity for a defense already reeling from injuries and subpar performance. With multiple key defensive players either injured or recovering, the pressure mounts on the coaching staff to rally the troops and shore up the defense.
As the Cowboys inch closer to their showdown with the Ravens, the focus remains on recovery and readiness. The upcoming padded practice will serve as a critical juncture for assessing the real-time condition of these injured players. The Cowboys’ medical and coaching staff will be under the spotlight, working rigorously to ensure their stars are ready to take the field.
The next few days will be crucial in determining the composition and readiness of the Dallas Cowboys as they strive to put their best foot forward against a formidable opponent in the Baltimore Ravens. The stakes are high, and the Cowboys will need every ounce of resilience, skill, and strategy to navigate through this challenging phase.