The Dallas Cowboys began their Week 3 preparations with a cautious approach, managing numerous injuries that have plagued the team ahead of their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens.
One of the significant absences from practice was wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is nursing an ankle injury. Additionally, cornerback Trevon Diggs was also out, sidelined due to a foot injury. Despite their absences from the field, both Lamb and Diggs were seen moving around the locker room without signs of obvious discomfort. This observation gives some hope to Cowboys’ fans that their conditions might not be severe.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy provided an update on the situation, indicating that a more accurate assessment of the players' readiness would be possible after 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 noted.
Injury Report: DaRon Bland and Jake Ferguson
DaRon Bland, who missed the Week 2 clash against the New Orleans Saints due to a stress fracture in his foot, was present at practice. However, he worked on the side with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown. The Cowboys' defense clearly felt his absence, conceding touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives. Bland’s recovery and return would be crucial for bolstering the team’s defensive lineup.
Tight end Jake Ferguson was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Ferguson missed Week 2 because of a bone bruise and an MCL sprain he sustained during the second half of the Cowboys’ Week 1 victory against the Browns. The Cowboys have high hopes for Ferguson's return, given his substantial impact on 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.
Rookie Woes: Mazi Smith
In more unfortunate news, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith had to leave Wednesday's practice prematurely due to a back injury. The extent of Smith's injury remains uncertain, which could pose additional challenges for the Cowboys if the rookie is unable to participate in the upcoming game.
Offensive Adjustments
Quarterback Dak Prescott commented on the efficacy and performance of the younger tight ends, including Luke Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford, in Ferguson’s absence. "Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends 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 reflected.
As the Cowboys endeavor to assemble their best lineup for Week 3, they will need to navigate the complexities of managing injured players while maintaining competitive performance on the field. McCarthy's strategic evaluation following Thursday's practice will likely provide more clarity on who will be ready to play against the Ravens. Until then, the Cowboys and their fans will keep a close eye on injury updates, hoping for quick recoveries and a more fortified team performance in the upcoming matchup.