The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens Week 3 showdown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just got more complicated on the injury front.

Friday’s practice reports delivered a mixed bag of news for both sides, with multiple game-time decisions looming and the Cowboys already ruling out four defensive players. The availability of Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, wide receiver Zay Flowers, and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will shape the complexion of Sunday’s matchup, and it appears we won’t get definitive answers until kickoff.

UPDATE: Since the publishing of this article, Stanley was ruled out and Flowers is questionable. Madubuike carries no game designation.

Ronnie Stanley’s absence could open a door for Dallas

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley did not practice Friday, meaning he missed all practices heading into Week 3. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said Baltimore might wait until kickoff on Sunday to decide on Stanley’s availability. He’s dealing with a toe injury sustained late in the Week 2 loss to the New Orleans Saints, an injury the Saints were able to capitalize on.

The fact that Stanley missed all week of practice certainly does not bode well for him. If he sits, the Cowboys will get to attack backup left tackle Carson Vinson who allowed two pressures in 10 opportunities last week. That is something to watch as Dallas’ pass rush looks for answers.

Zay Flowers complicates things for the Cowboys

On the Flowers front, Minter expressed more optimism. Flowers practiced on Friday for the first time all week.

Flowers is dealing with a hamstring injury and, like Stanley, made the trip to Brazil. He had missed multiple practices during the week but returned to some individual drills on Friday, suggesting he could also be a game-time decision.

Speculation has swirled that because Flowers made the trip, he is going to play. However, it’s very possible the Ravens are just testing him out and are unlikely to risk him if they believe he’s not ready.

Flowers playing on Sunday would be a major deal, because it would open up the Ravens’ passing game. The Cowboys’ utmost priority Sunday will be stopping quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry on the ground. If passing the football becomes easier for Baltimore with Flowers’ return, that changes the equation.

Last week, it was clear the Ravens leaned heavily on the run game to the point that they were using more 12 and 13 personnel. Baltimore is actually running 11 personnel at an under-50% rate for the year, and that likely has a lot to do with Flowers being unavailable.

Cowboys rule out 4 defensive players, including 3 Week 1 starters

As for Dallas, the Cowboys are banged up. They have ruled out four defensive players, three of whom were Week 1 starters: safety Malik Hooker, cornerback Cobie Durant, and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Top safety backup PJ Locke is also out.

Unless Caleb Downs moves to safety, the Cowboys will be playing Markquese Bell, who was a target for the Commanders as soon as he entered the field in Week 2. The Ravens will likely try to exploit that matchup whenever Bell is on the field.

At linebacker, third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham was able to step up wearing the green dot last Sunday, and the same will be asked of him in Week 3. Something to watch will be his snap count, because his conditioning affected his availability against Washington. He had to take multiple plays off after he was seen getting sick on the field pre-snap.

When he did play, though, Barham played at a high level. He looked the part of an NFL starting linebacker, taking the right angles, making the right tackles, and even forcing a fumble late in the game.

Madubuike’s potential return adds another wrinkle

On the Baltimore side of the ball, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is dealing with a neck injury, and his potential return to the defense would make the Cowboys’ task of running the football (which they’ve been struggling with) and protecting quarterback Dak Prescott harder.

Injuries will play a major role in this Week 3 matchup. The availability of Flowers, Stanley, and Madubuike on the Ravens’ side, combined with Dallas missing key defensive starters, means game-time decisions will dictate the flow of the entire contest. Mystery is at its highest point of the week, and it seems like we won’t get many answers until Sunday.