Cowboys Headlines: Positive updates for playmakers, Lance does Lamar, Emmitt claps at fans

The Cowboys' Week 2 loss seemed to add injury to insult when several star players were hobbled during the 44-19 beatdown. But the team had encouraging news on the availability of Zack Martin, CeeDee Lamb, and Trevon Diggs for this Sunday. They should be ready to go, just as one defensive leader says his unit will also be prepared for the challenge that Lamar Jackson will bring. We'll tell you why Eric Kendricks was all smiles talking about the Ravens, and we'll share the special role that Trey Lance has played this week in practice to help the defense prep.

Meanwhile, Emmitt Smith has some sobering words for the Cowboys fanbase, we look at why the offense's top weapon is being underutilized through two games, and we preview a part of Dak Prescott's game that may be making a comeback. The grades are in that prove the Dallas defensive line is as bad as you think, Brandon Aubrey reveals why he hasn't been practicing kicks from record distance, and one Cowboys great is among the first-time nominees for Canton. All that, plus Tom Brady improves in Week 2, Derek Carr takes a financial hit for his suggestive touchdown celebration, and one young quarterback going through a rough patch gets a pep talk from his Cowboys counterpart.

Updates: McCarthy optimistic on Lamb, Diggs :: The Mothership

The coach said he is "not of high concern" on either Lamb (ankle) or Diggs (foot) playing Sunday. Mazi Smith, though, "will have some work to do" for his back to be ready. Zack Martin participated in full on Thursday after missing a few snaps last week with a knee issue, a good sign for his availability in Week 3.

Travis Frederick among former Cowboys nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 :: Cowboys Wire

The longtime center is one of 16 first-timers on this year's Canton ballot. He'll join Cowboys greats like Tony Romo, Erik Williams, Ken Norton Jr., La'Roi Glover, and Darren Woodson, who is a nominee for an incredible ninth time. Of the 167 Modern-Day nominees, only three to five will be chosen for enshrinement in the Class of 2025.

Backup QB Trey Lance plays role of Lamar Jackson as Cowboys prepare for Ravens' 2-time MVP :: Dallas Morning News

Lance, who ran a 4.69 40 at his NFL Combine, is the closest thing to Jackson that the Cowboys have at QB, and the team hopes he can approximate Jackson's elite mobility in practice. Mike McCarthy said the typical 2.3 seconds that an NFL passer has in the pocket is more like 6.8 when it's Jackson.

Dak Prescott teased a potential fix for big Cowboys problem right after losing to Saints :: A to Z Sports

Prescott hinted that it may be time for him to use his legs more when the going gets tough in the pocket. "Whether it's scrambling, extending the plays to look to throw the ball down the field, or maybe just going and getting a couple yards and getting down," he said this week. "I wouldn't say it's about being perfect, but understanding that I do have that ability and that is a huge part of our offense. Got to bring it to life, I think."

'Wipe the blood off': This Cowboys defender eager to turn page, excited to face Ravens run game :: Cowboys Wire

"I'm ready to move on," Eric Kendricks said regarding last week's embarrassing loss. Good thing, because Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson are coming to town, hungry to get the Ravens into the win column. "This is a team that we've known these past couple years to be a serious contender, and this is a huge opportunity for us to show what we're made of as a linebacker corps," he added. "So have a smile on your face when we're preparing."

The Cowboys defensive line isn't the worst in the NFL, but they're close. Ahead of Week 3, Dallas ranks 29th out of 32, a drop of 16 spots since their opening day win. Only their 12th-place pass rush saved them from the bottom of the barrel; they currently rank last in run defense, with a dreadful 29.1 score.

CeeDee Lamb shockingly underused in Cowboys offense in 2024 :: Cowboys Wire

Lamb has split reps playing outside, inside, and even out of the backfield. He currently ranks 15th in the league in receiving yards and 28th in catches. Respectable, but not what was perhaps expected from the Cowboys' top offensive weapon. His target share stands at just under 23%, a smaller share than 24 other teams' WR1. That's likely the byproduct of not having a truly scary secondary option, leaving defenses to key on Lamb on every play.

Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey's range is 'near unlimited'; All-Pro explains why NFL kickers are better than ever :: CBS Sports

Aubrey says he doesn't regularly work on field goals from 70 yards or more because "it just makes bad habits to practice from there... my ball flight is going to get lower. I'm going to be more aggressive at the ball and start losing my consistency." But he also knows that sooner or later, a game situation could call for a try from that distance. He's already connected on 13 kicks from 50 or more to start his NFL career, a new record.

' Carr for Michael Jackson TD dance :: ESPN

Derek Carr will reportedly take a $14,069 hit for his touchdown celebration versus Dallas on Sunday. After a 1-yard scoring run, the Saints quarterback did a Michael Jackson dance move, complete with an emphatic crotch grab. "I'm always dancing," Carr said afterward. "One time I hit the Michael Jackson and [my brothers] were like, 'Bro, you have to do that if you score.'" The dance did not draw a flag during the game.

Emmitt Smith has harsh words for Dallas Cowboys fan base :: SI.com

The all-time rushing king says Cowboys fans should be worried about what they saw Sunday on the field. "Got caught up going against the Cleveland Browns," he theorized. Smith went on to say that the Cowboys' fanbase is often misguided and led by emotions; that's what made the Week 2 loss- even though it was to a far better team than the Browns- so hard to watch.

Dak Prescott has a message for Bryce Young after the former No. 1 pick was benched in Carolina :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Prescott hasn't experienced a benching the way Young did this week, but he had a perspective that he hopes helps the Panthers' former No. 1 pick. "Understanding you're writing your story; he's writing his story," Prescott said. "It's about really just knowing that he's gotten to this point by playing a lot of great ball in his career and that didn't just go away overnight, so stay true to it."

Tom Brady's second Fox NFL broadcast went a lot better than his first :: The Athletic

Brady improved noticeably after a shaky Week 1, offering viewers winning commentary that often drew off his personal experiences as a player, he mocked being left hanging on an on-air fist bump, and he provided some insight on how quarterback play might have saved CeeDee Lamb from taking a nasty hit late in the game. The Fox crew also smartly eased off on fawning all over Brady. Cowboys fans get TB12 in the booth once again this coming Sunday.

George Kittle sits out practice with hamstring issue as 49ers deal with another injury to star player :: NFL.com

The star tight end is in doubt for the 49ers' divisional game versus the Rams this Sunday. Hamstring injuries are notorious for often lingering, so the situation is worth at least casually monitoring for the Cowboys' date with San Francisco on Oct. 27. The Niners are already without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel for the Week 3 game, and maybe beyond.