It’s been two weeks since Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb went out with a high ankle sprain in a loss to the Bears, and while that injury can be especially difficult to come back from 100%, the team has been slowly giving clues as to when he will be back on the field.
The first clue came when the team elected to not put Lamb on the injured reserve list. That would have freed up a roster spot but would also require Lamb to sit out four weeks, at least, before he could play again. That indicated the team thought Lamb could be back for Game 7, which would be the fourth week after the injury–otherwise they’d have put him on the IR.
The second clue came last week when Lamb returned to practice, at least on a limited basis. And another clue came this week with team honcho Stephen Jones’ appearance on Dallas radio, in which he left open the possibility that Lamb could play on Sunday in Week 6 against the Panthers.
Cowboys ‘Are Grinding’ Through Injuries
Jones was discussing the Cowboys’ 37-22 victory over the Jets on Sunday and was asked about the way the team has played despite a rafter of injuries. Offensively, it was not just Lamb, but also KaVontae Turpin and most of the starting line–center Cooper Beebe, right guard Tyler Booker, left guard Tyler Smith–that was out on Sunday.
“Our guys are grinding,” Jones said. “They believe it is only going to get better from here. And we’re getting healthier. I know it didn’t look like it yesterday but we do have a chance to get most of our guys back over the next couple of weeks.”
Jones was then asked about Booker, Guyton and Lamb as potentially returning in Week 6 or 7. He said it is the case that all three could be back sooner rather than later.
“Turpin, I would put Turpin in that group,” Jones added. “The guys who might be a little longer are Beebe and Overshown. But not a lot past the bye. So this is a team that’s getting healthier.”
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner Stephen Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
CeeDee Lamb Replacements Have Fared Well
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the Cowboys will sort through who among the walking wounded could be back on the field on Sunday. It’s helped that second-year man Ryan Flournoy had six catches and 114 yards in Week 5 and that George Pickens (eight catches, 134 yards, two touchdowns in Week 4) has played well in Lamb’s absence, but the team certainly wants Lamb on the field.
“It’s still early. I think we’ll find out more in the next couple of days. I think we’re trending in the right direction on a few guys,” Schottenheimer told reporters.
“I’m seeing progress on all the guys. Whether they’re able to make it to this weekend? We’ll see, but I do think we’re closing in on some good markers for these guys in the next couple of weeks.”
Cowboys Update Injury Return Timeline on CeeDee Lamb