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FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their first apply of Week 3 on Wednesday forward of their showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, nevertheless it was a blended bag so far as accidents go.
Baltimore will come to Texas with All-Professional quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, Professional Bowl working again Derrick Henry, All-Professional inside linebacker Roquan Smith and All-Professional security Kyle Hamilton. Nonetheless, Hamilton did not apply on Wednesday with the Ravens as he’s coping with a again harm.
Two of Dallas’ stars, one on offense and one on protection, missed apply on Wednesday as effectively: All-Professional extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot). Each had been seen strolling across the locker room usually after apply, however there might be a greater gauge of how every feels after the Cowboys’ padded apply on Thursday. The duo also needs to be obtainable to talk with the media after Thursday’s apply as effectively, which is able to present much more readability to their respective conditions.
Listed here are three different notable harm updates from Wednesday’s apply:
CB DaRon Bland starting rehab ramp up for return to play
The Dallas Cowboys definitely missed All-Professional cornerback DaRon Bland’s big-play capability on Sunday of their 44-19 residence defeat in opposition to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Dallas surrendered touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first six drives, an effort Diggs known 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 highway again to taking part in 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 apply for the primary time for the reason that process, an encouraging signal for the Cowboys.
Bland positively did not apply, 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 discipline through the years.
Tight finish Jake Ferguson returns to take part in apply
Professional Bowl tight finish Jake Ferguson missed Dallas’ 44-19 loss in opposition to the Saints with a bone bruise/MCL sprain that he suffered within the second half of the Cowboys’ 33-17 highway win in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.
Nonetheless, there may be hope Ferguson can return in Week 3 in opposition to the Ravens, one thing that was tangible on Wednesday with him being a restricted apply participant. 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 apply. “Hopefully he can get by means of the entire apply and see the way it goes. That is the primary time giving it an opportunity.”
Ferguson’s return is crucial. Though fill-in Luke Schoonmaker, a 2023 second-round decide, caught all six of his targets for 43 yards receiving, it is not the identical as what Ferguson brings to the desk in totality, in accordance with quarterback Dak Prescott.
“In every single place,” Prescott mentioned postgame on Sunday when requested the place Ferguson was missed. “I assume you may 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 bought a mentality that different guys feed off of, that is very contagious, however these different guys did play effectively. They did their job and stepped up. The made some performs, however [the game] simply bought away from us.”
McCarthy confirmed Ferguson’s intangible contributions to the Cowboys on Monday.
“Jake’s an enormous a part of the guts and soul of that locker room,” McCarthy mentioned on Monday. “No query about it. I used to be instructed he had a great exercise right now. That is excellent news. However we’ll see how he is available in tomorrow and so forth. I am hopeful he can play.”
DT Mazi Smith walks off with coach throughout apply with again harm
The Cowboys’ run protection wants all the assistance it may get on Sunday in opposition to 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, considered one of their beginning defensive tackles Mazi Smith, Dallas’ 2023 first-round decide, gingerly walked off the apply discipline on Wednesday with what’s now generally known as a again harm whereas being accompanied by head athletic coach Jim Maurer.
The importance of Smith’s harm will probably be know when McCarthy speaks at his Thursday press convention at 12:10 p.m. ET.
