Cowboys injury update: CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs miss practice; Darren Bland returns for rehab assignment

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys began their first practice of Week 3 on Wednesday ahead of a showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, but it was a mixed bag when it came to injuries.

Baltimore will come to Texas with All-Pro quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry, All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. However, Hamilton did not practice with the Ravens on Wednesday as he continues to deal with a back injury.

Two of Dallas’ stars, one offensive and one defensive player, also missed practice on Wednesday: All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot). Both were seen walking around the locker room as normal after practice, but a better sense of how each of them feels will be obtained after the Cowboys’ padded practice on Thursday. Both should also be available to speak with the media after Thursday’s practice, which will provide even more clarity about their respective statuses.

Here are three other notable injury-related updates from Wednesday’s practice:

CB Darren Bland begins rehabilitation to prepare for return to playing

The Dallas Cowboys certainly missed the big-play ability of All-Pro cornerback Darron Bland in Sunday’s 44-19 home loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Dallas Touchdowns surrendered on each of the Saints’ first six drivesDiggs called the effort “unacceptable.”

His fellow outside corner Bland, the 2023 NFL interception leader (nine) and the NFL’s single-season pick-six record holder (five), is recovering and returning to play in 2024. He underwent a procedure to heal a stress fracture in your foot He suffered greatly in training camp at the end of the preseason.

On Wednesday, Bland was seen practicing for the first time since the procedure, which was an encouraging sign for the Cowboys.

Bland certainly didn’t practice, but he did work closely with Dallas rehab director Britt Brown, who has been praised by several Cowboys players over the years for his efforts in getting them onto the football field.

Tight end Jake Ferguson returns to practice

Pro Bowl tight end Jake Ferguson missed Dallas’ 44-19 loss to the Saints due to a bone bruise/MCL sprain he suffered in the second half of the Cowboys’ 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns.

While there was hope that Ferguson could return in Week 3 against the Ravens, that became clear on Wednesday as he was limited in practice participation. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy revealed that the team did not intend to play him in Week 2 for precautionary reasons.

“He’ll start drills before practice and then we’ll evaluate from there,” McCarthy said before practice Wednesday. “Hopefully he’ll get through the whole practice and see how it goes. This is the first time he’s being given an opportunity.”

Ferguson’s return is significant. Even though 2023 second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker caught all six of his targets for 43 yards, it’s not the same as Ferguson’s totality, according to quarterback Dak Prescott.

When Prescott was asked postgame Sunday where he missed Ferguson, he said, “Everywhere.” “I guess you could say those young tight ends missed him. [Schoonmaker and undrafted rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford] Did a good job. Simply put, they did a good job. As I’ve said all week, Jake is more than just a tight end on Sunday. He’s an aggressive player. He brings a physical nature to this group. He has a mindset that inspires other guys, it’s very contagious, but those other guys played well. They did their job and stepped up. They made some plays, but [the game] It just got away from us.”

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

“Jake is a big part of the heart and soul of that locker room,” McCarthy said Monday. “There’s no doubt about that. I was told he had a good workout today. That’s good news. But we’ll see how he does tomorrow and how he does going forward. I’m hopeful he’ll be able to play.”

DT Mazi Smith left with trainer during practice due to back injury

The Cowboys’ run defense needs all the help it can get against Jackson and Henry on Sunday. Chopped up by Saints Pro Bowl running back Alvin Karamara 115 rushing yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns, a 5.8 yards-per-carry average.

Unfortunately, one of their starting defensive tackles, Mazi Smith, Dallas’ 2023 first-round pick, cautiously walked off the practice field on Wednesday with what is now known to be a back injury while being accompanied by head athletic trainer Jim Maurer.

The significance of Smith’s injury will likely be known when McCarthy speaks at his press conference on Thursday at 12:10 p.m. ET.