The Dallas Cowboys' offense firing on all cylinders without CeeDee Lamb in the lineup certainly came as a shock not only to Dallas fans but to the rest of the league. Putting up 40 points against the Green Bay Packers without the benefit of your best playmaker sent a message that buys one of the league's best receivers time to heal. Something that the Cowboys are going to utilize with ESPN's Todd Archer reporting that head coach Brian Schottenheimer isn't taking a stint on the IR off the table for either Lamb or injured lineman Tyler Booker.
When asked about the possibility, Schottenheimer offered that while an IR stint wasn't expected, “we reserve the right to change our mind.” Making it clear that Dallas still doesn't know when Lamb is going to be back in the Cowboys lineup, and fans shouldn't expect his return anytime soon. This statement in itself helps clarify where we are in the season and why the Cowboys won't be preparing for Lamb's return in Week 5. If a timeline of the receiver's recovery were clear, the head coach wouldn't leave the door open for an IR stint.
Cowboys Star WR CeeDee Lamb Still Has Long Road of Recovery Ahead
The fact that Schottenheimer left this on the table clearly sends a message that Lamb won't be ready for Week 5 and has his status for the following week heavily in question as well. It makes sense to be more cautious with Lamb's health after the offensive display put on by Dallas against what was supposed to be one of the league's better defensive units.
The fact that the Cowboys have two very winnable games scheduled against the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers over the next two weeks only helps this patience. If there were ever two franchises that could help put Dallas back into the thick of things in the NFC playoff picture, it would be the struggling Jets and Panthers. With this in mind, it makes sense to continue to buy Lamb time and make sure your star is completely healthy before returning to the lineup.
While this is not the news fans want to hear, it is the correct approach concerning the remainder of the 2025 campaign. While it is easy to focus on the offensive excitement, it is important to note that the Cowboys' defense gave up 40 points, continuing a long season of ineptitude on that side of the ball.
For the year to turn in the direction the Cowboys and their fans are hoping for, Dallas will need Lamb healthy and able to play in as many games as physically possible. Based on what we've seen thus far, the offense needs to score 35-40 a game to give the Cowboys a chance against the league's better teams. With this in mind, it makes sense that the coaching staff isn't ruling out an IR stint, understanding the winnable games ahead and the importance of a healthy Lamb returning down the stretch of the season.