Is CeeDee Lamb playing today? Latest update on Cowboys WR
By Jerry Trotta
Week 1 isn't a must-win game for most teams, but the Dallas Cowboys should undoubtedly have urgency to topple the Cleveland Browns, who made the playoffs last year and have one of the best defenses the NFL.
While rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton shined in preseason, he'll tussle with reinging Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett on Sunday. It stands to reason that Dak Prescott will be under duress in this game, so CeeDee Lamb's presence, or lack thereof, will be an important factor.
Lamb only signed his blockbuster four-year, $136 million extension last week. That gave Lamb roughly a two-week ramp up to get ready for the game after he held out for the majority of training camp.
One could understand if the Cowboys wanted to exercise caution with their superstar receiver, but Lamb dismissed the idea of sitting out Week 1 the moment he signed his extension. Yes, Cowboys fans, No. 88 will be out there on Sunday.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb will play vs. Browns in Week 1
Lamb was a full participant in the Cowboys' first padded practice of the week. Not only is Lamb playing, but he won't even be on a pitch count. Despite not facing hits all offseason, Lamb is a full-go on Sunday, meaning he should see his typical monster target share.
"Yeah, I'm ready," said Lamb about playing. "Today was definitely one of those days and again, shout out to the guys, the coaches, for really guiding me throughout this whole week. Obviously, I knew that mentally I was ready and physically it's a little different of a story, but today got me ready.
"It was a full contact, full padded practice and we're game planning and installing different things, so I got to compete against the ones. That was fun."
If there was any doubt about Lamb's status, the Cowboys activated Lamb to the 53-man roster Saturday from the exempt list. For what it's worth, Dallas also elevated linebacker Nick Vigil from the practice squad.
The Cowboys were smart with Lamb after he signed his contract. While No. 88 trained vigorously throughout his holdout, it was impossible for him to replicate the intensity and physicality of an NFL practice. Not only did Lamb need to feel some hits before playing in the regular season, he also needed a lengthy ramp up period to avoid a potential soft-tissue injury.
Lamb getting a full workload against the Browns might be a little risky, but he's been adamant since the contract was announced that he'll be out there without any limitations.