The Dallas Cowboys were dealt an untimely reminder of just how important CeeDee Lamb is to their offense when he left Sunday's loss against the Chicago Bears with an ankle injury.
Lamb's ankle bent awkwardly after it got caught underneath a Bears defender. One of the toughest players in the NFL, Lamb attempted to keep playing, but he was removed on a permanent basis after pulling up at the end of a route.
Video of the injury had Cowboys fans fearing the worst, but Dallas may have avoided the worst with its superstar wide receiver, who told reporters after the game that he "absolutely" feels like he can play next week.
Cowboys may have dodged disaster with CeeDee Lamb's ankle injury
Lamb was walking without a noticeable limp on the Cowboys' sideline near the end of the game. He would've kept playing if the decision was up to him, but the coaching and training staff wisely intervened.
"This was one of those protect me from myself type of deals," Lamb added about the injury.
None of this means Lamb will suit up in Week 4, when the Cowboys host Micah Parsons and the Packers on Sunday Night Football. However, it offers a ray of hope that Lamb avoided the worst. Jerry Jones echoed that sentiment after the game, saying that the early word on Lamb's ankle is positive.
The Cowboys shouldn't rush Lamb back by any means, but the offense lost its explosive element the second he was removed from the game. That was against a Bears secondary that was down two of its top three cornerbacks. The Packers have arguably the best defense in football. To say it will be tough sledding next week if Lamb can't go would be an understatement.
Lamb will undergo further testing on Monday after the team lands back in Dallas. Cowboys fans will hold their breath until then, but it sounds like No. 88 won't miss significant time. With the Cowboys' season seemingly hanging on by a thread, they can't afford him to miss any time.