Cowboys accidents replace: CeeDee Lamb says ankle is 'cool', WR, Trevon Diggs return to follow

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their padded follow of Week 3 on Thursday forward of their showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, however it was a combined bag so far as accidents go. 

Baltimore will come to Texas with All-Professional quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, Professional Bowl operating again Derrick Henry, All-Professional inside linebacker Roquan Smith and All-Professional security Kyle Hamilton Hamilton returned to follow in a restricted trend after not training on Wednesday with the Ravens as he’s coping with a again damage. Baltimore’s 2024 first-round choose cornerback Nate Wiggins additionally suited to follow on Thursday as a restricted participant after lacking Wednesday’s actions with a neck/concussion damage. 

Two of Dallas’ stars, one on offense and one on protection, missed follow on Wednesday as nicely: All-Professional broad receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot). Lamb returned to follow on Thursday as a restricted participant and spoke about his recreation standing within the afternoon. 

“Ankle is cool,” Lamb mentioned Thursday. “It was sore yesterday, so I took a day [on Wednesday].”

Diggs additionally returned to follow in a restricted trend with a foot damage on Thursday, however it was a extra restricted participation than Lamb within the portion of follow seen to the media. He started stretching with the entire staff, however then as soon as drills began, he ended up taking off his pads and dealing with director of rehab Britt Brown off to the aspect.

Listed below are three different notable damage updates from Thursday’s follow:

Tight finish Jake Ferguson practices two days in a row

Professional Bowl tight finish Jake Ferguson missed Dallas’ 44-19 loss towards the Saints with a bone bruise/MCL sprain that he suffered within the second half of the Cowboys’ 33-17 street win towards the Cleveland Browns. 

Nevertheless, there’s hope Ferguson can return in Week 3 towards the Ravens, one thing that was tangible on Wednesday with him being a restricted follow participant. He practiced once more in a restricted follow on Thursday for Dallas’ padded follow. Quarterback Dak Prescott felt Ferguson might have performed in Week 2 in the event that they wanted him to, and he expressed confidence in his return to play for Week 3.

“Oh, Jake will likely be superior. He is appeared nice,” Prescott mentioned on Thursday. “He appeared nice final week. You tried me final week, too. I feel if it is a totally different recreation final week, extra essential recreation later within the season kind of deal, that Jake most likely might have went then. However he is clearly been on the market. He is appeared good.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy revealed the staff had no intent in having him try and play in Week 2 for precautionary causes. 

“He will begin off within the pre-practice after which we’ll consider from there,” McCarthy mentioned on Wednesday earlier than follow. “Hopefully he can get by means of the entire follow and see the way it goes. That is the primary time giving it an opportunity.”

Ferguson’s return is crucial. Regardless that fill-in Luke Schoonmaker, a 2023 second-round choose, caught all six of his targets for 43 yards receiving, it isn’t the identical as what Ferguson brings to the desk in totality, in line with Prescott. 

“All over the place,” Prescott mentioned postgame on Sunday when requested the place Ferguson was missed. “I suppose you possibly can say that these younger tight ends [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] did a great job. Merely, they did a great job. As I’ve mentioned all through the week, Jake’s greater than only a tight finish on Sunday. He is an aggressor. He brings a bodily nature to this group. He is obtained a mentality that different guys feed off of, that is very contagious, however these different guys did play nicely. They did their job and stepped up. The made some performs, however [the game] simply obtained away from us.”

McCarthy confirmed Ferguson’s intangible contributions to the Cowboys on Monday. 

“Jake’s an enormous a part of the center and soul of that locker room,” McCarthy mentioned on Monday. “No query about it. I used to be instructed he had a great exercise immediately. That is excellent news. However we’ll see how he is available in tomorrow and so forth. I am hopeful he can play.”

CB DaRon Bland continues rehab ramp up for return to play 

The Dallas Cowboys definitely missed All-Professional cornerback DaRon Bland’s big-play potential on Sunday of their 44-19 dwelling defeat towards the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Dallas surrendered touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first six drives, an effort Diggs referred to as “unacceptable.”

His fellow exterior nook in Bland, the 2023 NFL interceptions chief (9) and the NFL’s single-season pick-sixes report holder (5), is on the mend and on the street again to enjoying in 2024. He underwent a process to fix a stress fracture in his foot that he suffered in coaching camp on the tail finish of the preseason. 

On Wednesday, Bland was noticed at follow for the primary time for the reason that process, an encouraging signal for the Cowboys.

Bland undoubtedly did not follow, however he did work off to the aspect with Dallas’ director of rehab Britt Brown, somebody who has had his praises sung by many Cowboys gamers for his efforts in getting them get on the soccer subject over time. He repeated this course of on Thursday.

DT Mazi Smith not seen at follow Thursday

The Cowboys’ run protection wants all the assistance it will probably get on Sunday towards Jackson and Henry after getting shredded by Saints Pro Bowl running back Alvin Karmara to the tune of 115 dashing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, a 5.8 yards-per-carry common. 

Sadly, one in all their beginning defensive tackles Mazi Smith, Dallas’ 2023 first-round choose, gingerly walked off the follow subject on Wednesday with what’s now often known as a again damage whereas being accompanied by head athletic coach Jim Maurer. 

Smith wasn’t seen at follow on Thursday, lending credence that his again damage is not a easy tweak.