As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their Week 3 clash against the Baltimore Ravens, navigating a cautious path due to various injuries becomes paramount. Head coach Mike McCarthy is taking a tactical approach, ensuring his players’ health remains the top priority.
Key Players Absent from Practice
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs were notable absentees from practice. Lamb is dealing with an ankle injury, while Diggs is nursing a foot issue. Despite their injuries, both players were seen moving around the locker room without visible discomfort. Coach McCarthy hinted that a more definitive evaluation of their conditions would occur 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 said, shedding light on the cautious approach taken towards Lamb and Diggs.
Return of DaRon Bland
Meanwhile, cornerback DaRon Bland returned to the practice field, albeit on the sidelines, working with the team’s director of rehab, Britt Brown. Bland was absent during Week 2 after a procedure for a stress fracture in his foot. His absence was felt as the Cowboys' defense struggled significantly, conceding touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first six drives.
Jake Ferguson Limited, But Showing Progress
Tight end Jake Ferguson participated in Wednesday's practice but in a limited capacity. Ferguson had to sit out the Week 2 matchup against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain, injuries sustained in the second half of the Cowboys' Week 1 victory over the Browns. His potential return is highly anticipated by 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,” McCarthy remarked, emphasizing Ferguson’s significance.
Quarterback Dak Prescott also acknowledged the impact of Ferguson’s absence, stating, “Everywhere. I guess you can say that those young tight ends [Luke 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.”
Rookie Defensive Tackle Suffers Setback
Rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith’s week took a turn for the worse as he had to leave practice early on Wednesday due to a back injury. His early exit adds another layer of concern for the Cowboys, who are already managing multiple injuries among key players.
As the Cowboys approach their anticipated game against the Ravens, their ability to manage these injuries and bring some of their key players back into action will be pivotal. Coach McCarthy and the team are clearly adopting a methodical approach, balancing the urgency of upcoming games with the necessity of player health. The Cowboys will hope that their injury woes do not derail their momentum as they face a formidable opponent in the Baltimore Ravens.