The Dallas Cowboys have kicked off their preparations for Week 3 with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over some of their key players. With a showdown against the Baltimore Ravens on the horizon, the team is battling a series of injuries that could impact their performance.
CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs: Question Marks
Among the notable absentees from practice was wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who sat out due to an ankle injury. Joining him on the sidelines was cornerback Trevon Diggs, nursing a foot injury. However, both Lamb and Diggs were spotted walking around the locker room without any apparent discomfort, providing a glimmer of hope for Cowboys fans.
Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of Thursday’s padded practice to get a clearer assessment of their conditions. "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 regarding one of his injured players.
DaRon Bland's Recovery
Another player under the microscope is DaRon Bland. Bland missed Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints after undergoing a procedure for a stress fracture in his foot. On Wednesday, he was seen working off to the side with the team's director of rehab, Britt Brown. His presence is crucial for the Cowboys as they seek to shore up a defense that conceded touchdowns on each of the Saints' first six drives in their previous game.
Jake Ferguson's Road to Recovery
The tight end position has also been hit hard with Jake Ferguson being a limited participant in practice. Ferguson missed the Week 2 game against the Saints due to a bone bruise and MCL sprain he suffered in the second half of the Cowboys' Week 1 win against the Browns. His potential return would be a significant boost for the team.
Coach McCarthy expressed optimism about Ferguson's progress. "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.
The importance of Ferguson to the team was echoed by quarterback Dak Prescott, who praised the young tight ends who stepped in during Ferguson's absence but underscored the veteran's influence. "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 remarked.
Injury Woes Continue with Mazi Smith
Adding to the injury list, rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith had to leave practice early on Wednesday due to a back injury. Smith's departure adds another layer of concern for a defense already reeling from previous setbacks.
As the Cowboys prepare for their crucial matchup against the Ravens, the health and availability of these key players remain a central focus. With a clearer picture expected after Thursday’s padded practice, all eyes will be on how these injuries evolve and what adjustments the coaching staff will make to navigate these challenges.
The Cowboys' resilience will be tested, and their ability to adapt and overcome these hurdles could very well define their season's trajectory.