Saturday’s ‘Thursday’ Injury Report: Cowboys rule out Zack Martin, Ravens on mend

No team has dealt with more complications from COVID-19 this season than the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys were originally scheduled to face the Ravens on Thursday Night Football, but the game was pushed back to Tuesday, allowing Baltimore to return a number of key contributors, including Lamar Jackson who is expected to suit up.

Saturday, DE Aldon Smith returned to practice and CB Anthony Brown was able to get in another practice. Offensive linemen Zack Martin and Cam Erving, S Steven Parker were non-participants, and S Donovan Wilson worked with athletic trainers off to the side at practice.

Smith (illness) had missed practices earlier in the week but was back in the action this weekend, and is game status is not in jeopardy.

Brown (ribs) missed Dallas’ Thanksgiving game against Washington, but the added rest has helped his recovery and he is questionable for Tuesday’s matchup.

The Dallas offensive line has struggled to continuity, and that trend will continue this week. Martin and Erving were the Cowboys starting tackles against Washington, but both were injured in the first quarter. Martin (calf) and Erving (knee) didn’t practice this week, and they are officially out

Wilson (groin) missed practice Friday, but worked on the side with trainers Saturday; his status is still in question for Tuesday Wilson had emerged as a bright spot in the Cowboys safety room over the last few weeks.

One of Wilson’s potential replacements, Parker (ankle), was absent from practice Saturday, leaving Dallas incredibly thin at the safety position if Parker can’t play. Both Wilson and Parker are listed as questionable, and Darian Thompson would be the likely beneficiary should Dallas be without Wilson or Parker.

Dallas’ upcoming opponent, Baltimore was hit with a whirlwind of COVID cases and injuries over the last two weeks, but a handful of the Ravens’ best players are set to return from the reserve list and face the Cowboys Tuesday.

On Friday and Saturday Baltimore activated a total of seven players from the COVID/Reserve list, including DT Calais Campbell, RB Mark Ingram, RB J.K. Dobbins, OLB Pernell McPhee, OL Matt Skura, OL Patrick Mekari, DE Jihad Ward.

Reigning MVP, QB Lamar Jackson, is eligible to be activated from the list on Sunday, and while Baltimore won’t confirm that as their plan, it is expected.

Despite te positive activations from the COVID list, Baltimore still has nine players with a questionable tag, and two listed as doubtful as we get closer to Tuesday.

The most notable questionable tags include Campbell, who was mentioned above, CB Jimmy Smith, DT Brandon Williams, and S Chuck Clark.

It will be important to monitor the Baltimore health situation before the Tuesday night showdown, especially at quarterback.