Three key Ravens to watch in Preseason Week 2 vs Cowboys

After one week of preseason action, the Baltimore Ravens are 1–0 with a mix of new faces and developing young players beginning to carve out meaningful roles in a convincing victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Now the team heads to Arlington, Texas, to meet a Dallas Cowboys squad that looked sluggish in its 31–21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With opportunities on both sides of the ball for Baltimore, three players in particular have a chance to build on their Week 1 momentum.

LaJohntay Wester

The rookie receiver made an immediate impact against Indianapolis, turning heads on both offense and special teams. Wester hauled in two catches for 41 yards, including a 30-yard gain, but it was his work in the return game that changed the night. His 87-yard punt return touchdown highlighted a three-return, 104-yard effort that gave the Ravens a clear spark. Against Dallas, Wester faces a Cowboys coverage unit that surrendered returns of 38 and 22 yards to the Rams, leaving plenty of lanes for a quick, decisive returner like him to exploit.

Dallas will likely be more disciplined in their lane assignments this week, forcing Wester to show patience and secure the ball. If he avoids mistakes such as muffed punts, always a concern for young returners, he should again provide Baltimore with valuable field position, while continuing to flash as a situational target in the passing game.

T.J. Tampa

T.J. Tampa made his presence felt against the Colts, finishing with six tackles and two pass breakups while showing he could stay physical without drawing flags. At 6-foot-1, the former Iowa State Cyclone showed how his length and recovery speed allowed him to close gaps quickly and disrupt passes, a skill that will be tested under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium.

Dallas quarterback Joe Milton III, even in just his second season, has one of the strongest arms in the league and isn’t shy about launching deep shots at cornerbacks who fail to respect his range. That sets up a compelling matchup: if Tampa maintains the same composure and discipline he showed against Indianapolis, he has a real chance to break up more passes and possibly grab an interception. The Cowboys will put him in high-pressure situations, but this game could serve as an early statement about his underrated value in Baltimore’s secondary.

Jay Higgins IV

From one Iowa product to the next, Higgins put together a strong performance in his Ravens debut. The former Hawkeye recorded an interception and two pass breakups against the Colts, showing sharp zone discipline and awareness in the middle of the field. Against Dallas, he’ll be tested by Milton, who threw for 143 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Week 1. Milton was aggressive downfield, and while Dallas had some dangerous options in Jalen Brooks and Traeshon Holden stand out that week, the depth behind their top receivers drops off considerably.

Higgins’ ability to read Milton’s eyes and close quickly on intermediate throws will be critical. The Cowboys may try to bait him with play-action or misdirection, but his experience and vocal presence in setting the front suggest he’s capable of handling the responsibility.

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