Cowboys inactives list for Week 3 game against Ravens
By Jerry Trotta
Dallas Cowboys fans are expecting a big response after the team got clobbered at home last weekend. After previously riding a 16-game regular season winning streak at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys have now been blown out in consecutive games at home.
It won't be an easy task for Dallas to protect home turf on Sunday, as they'll lock horns with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys are a home underdog for the game, which has been a rarity in the Dak Prescott era.
Initially, Dallas listed 14 players on the injury report. That included superstars CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, but they both returned in a full capacity by Friday. There were ample "limited" designations throughout the week, but the team was likely just managing the reps of its full-time players.
All eyes have been on tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) and defensive tackle Mazi Smith (back) and whether they'd be cleared for Sunday. While the jury is still out on Smith as of this writing, Ferguson was a full participant on Friday. He should be out there when Dallas takes the field.
Cowboys inactives:
- Tyrus Wheat
- Trey Lance
- John Stephens Jr.
- Ryan Flournoy
- Andrew Booth
- Buddy Johnson
- Matt Waletzko
This list is the best-case scenario for the Cowboys. While Lamb and Diggs were removed from the injury report by Friday. Mazi Smith was the only player whose status was really up in the air. His presence will be huge in the defense's attempt to stymie Derrick Henry.
Many fans would have liked to see Flournoy activated after Jalen Brooks' poor Week 2. Brooks is active after being limited this week with an ankle injury. It will be interesting to see how many snaps Brooks plays and how often Dak Prescott looks his direction.
Ravens inactives:
- S Beau Brade
- CB T.J. Tampa
- OLB Adisa Isaac
- C Nick Samac
- OL Sala Aumavae-Laulu
- WR Devontez Walker
- DE Brent Urban
First-round rookie Nate Wiggins was the only question mark for the Ravens. He has cleared concussion protocol.
This is more of a must-win game for the Ravens than the Cowboys, but the latter cannot afford to slide to 1-2 in a competitive division. In a loaded AFC and games against the Bills and Bengals up next, Baltimore will be hard-pressed to sniff the playoffs if they fall to 0-3.
Expect both teams to lay it all on the line at AT&T Stadium.