The Dallas Cowboys began their Week 3 preparations with a heightened sense of caution as they navigate a wave of injuries that could impact their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens.
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs Miss Practice
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb raised eyebrows on Wednesday when he was absent from practice due to an ankle injury. Similarly, standout cornerback Trevon Diggs also did not participate, sidelined with a foot injury.
Despite their absences, both players were spotted moving around the locker room without showing visible signs of discomfort, providing a glimmer of hope for Cowboys fans. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed that the team would have a clearer picture of their conditions following Thursday’s padded practice. "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, hinting at Lamb's tentative schedule.
DaRon Bland's Road to Recovery
Cornerback DaRon Bland, who missed Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints due to a stress fracture in his foot, was present at practice but did not participate fully. Instead, Bland was seen working off to the side with Britt Brown, the team's director of rehab. His absence was felt acutely in Week 2, as the Cowboys' defense struggled mightily, allowing the Saints to score touchdowns on each of their first six drives.
Jake Ferguson's Limited Participation
Tight end Jake Ferguson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, still dealing with the after-effects of a bone bruise and MCL sprain that he suffered during the Cowboys’ Week 1 win against the Cleveland Browns. While Ferguson missed the Week 2 game against the Saints, his limited involvement in practice offers a cautious optimism regarding his availability for the Ravens game.
Quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged the impact of Ferguson's absence but praised the young tight ends who stepped in. "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," Prescott said.
McCarthy also weighed in on 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," he said, underlining Ferguson's influence beyond just his on-field contributions.
Setback for Mazi Smith
In another blow to the Cowboys' defensive roster, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith had to leave practice early on Wednesday due to a back injury. Smith's sudden exit adds another layer of complexity to the Cowboys' injury management as they gear up for a crucial game against a formidable opponent.
As the Dallas Cowboys inch closer to their Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the focus remains squarely on the health and readiness of key players like Lamb, Diggs, Bland, Ferguson, and Smith. Coach McCarthy and his team continue to adapt and adjust, hoping that their strategic caution pays off and translates into a stronger, healthier squad come game day.