FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb says he’s ready to return to the lineup this Sunday against the Washington Commanders, ending a three-game absence caused by a high left-ankle sprain.
Lamb participated in limited practice for the second straight day on Thursday and said he feels confident in his recovery.
“I feel like I’m moving around, running around, being me,” Lamb said. “Happy as can be, obviously believing in my ankle. I feel like it’s back to where I need it to be.”
Extra week paid off
Lamb admitted he could have returned last weekend against the Carolina Panthers, but the team decided to give him an additional week to regain full explosiveness and stability.
“That’s why we took an extra week — just to make sure I had that comfort, the same explosiveness, the same stability,” he explained.
Coach and teammates excited
Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who celebrated his 52nd birthday Thursday, confirmed Lamb’s return before practice. Smiling beside his receiver, he called Lamb his “birthday present.”
“Yeah, if he’s breathing, I feel pretty good,” Schottenheimer joked. “CeeDee knows how to play football. If he runs around and catches a pass or two, I’m good.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott shared his excitement, noting how sharp Lamb has looked in practice.
“He looks great,” Prescott said. “He’s ready to go. I saw him last week during rehab — he probably could’ve gone then, but we played it safe. It’s going to be fun having him back.”
Impact on the offense
Before his injury, Lamb recorded two straight 100-yard games to open the season. He now needs 51 scrimmage yards against Washington to reach 7,000 career yards, which would make him the fastest player in Cowboys history to hit that milestone.
Meanwhile, George Pickens stepped up in Lamb’s absence, posting four touchdowns and two 100-yard games. Prescott said having both receivers available again gives the Cowboys new ways to attack defenses.
“Having two guys like that and being able to move them around the formation is huge,” Prescott said. “It’s only going to make us better.”
Lamb enters Week 7 aiming for a fourth-straight 100-catch, 1,000-yard season — but his motivation goes deeper.
“That’s not why I’m hungry,” he said. “I’m hungry because I missed time doing what I love — playing with the guys I love and being me out there again.”
