BREAKING: CEEDEE LAMB RETURN TIMELINE REVEALED — DAK PRESCOTT KEEPING THE COWBOYS ALIVE
Considering that the Dallas Cowboys have been without CeeDee Lamb over the past few weeks, following the star wide receiver’s injury during the second game of the year, what Dak Prescott has done is impressive.
George Pickens has stepped up in a significant way for them, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Lamb is one of the top receivers in the NFL, and Prescott could use him. It remains uncertain when Lamb will return, but according to NFL Underdog on X, Stephen Jones stated that Lamb, dealing with his ankle injury, could be back sometime within the next two weeks.
For a Cowboys team sitting at 2-2-1, getting Lamb back for their contest against the Carolina Panthers would be important, but they have a division opponent coming up with the Washington Commanders on Oct. 19 that might be more important.
“Stephen Jones: CeeDee Lamb (ankle), KaVontae Turpin (foot) could be back in next 2 weeks,” they posted.
Could the Cowboys Be Getting CeeDee Lamb Back Soon?
When speaking to reporters about Lamb’s injury earlier last week, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that the Dallas Cowboys star was moving better. However, it was still uncertain when he’d be good to go.
Nonetheless, with Jones and Schottenheimer both stating that Lamb might return sometime in the near future, it’s a promising sign for the Cowboys, a team playing much better than some anticipated entering the year.
“They’re both moving around good. … I think the window is getting smaller,” Schottenheimer said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic.
CeeDee Lamb Can Boost Dak Prescott’s MVP Chances
While the Dallas Cowboys still have plenty of questions to answer about their immediate and long-term future, kudos need to be given to Prescott for what he’s done.
In fact, he’s even playing like the league MVP right now. Prescott has been that good, and when factoring in that Lamb hasn’t been on the field, it’s that more impressive.
So much so that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes that he’s the MVP right now, or has to at least be considered for it.
“He deserves strong consideration for league MVP honors right now,” Smith said. “He definitely is overachieving. It’s not something we haven’t seen before. He’s like 29 or 30 games over .500 as a starter in his career. So, this is the regular season. This is when he does it, after all, not necessarily the postseason. But that doesn’t take away from what we’re seeing him right now.
“… I just say to myself, with CeeDee Lamb out, with Micah Parsons having been traded, with the pressure clearly falling on the shoulders of Dak Prescott, he has answered the call. And right now, I think he needs to be a leading candidate for league MVP honors.”
While Smith had that to say, he also admitted that if Prescott leads his team to the playoffs and he doesn’t perform at the highest level when it matters most, he’ll be ready to criticize him, just like most.
“Lord help him, if he plays lights out during this regular season and the Dallas Cowboys find a way to get themselves to the playoffs, and then he goes to the playoffs and wets the bed, he won’t hear the end of it, not from First Take. I can promise you that. But, he deserves league MVP consideration right now,” Smith said.
Lions star DJ Reed’s honest admission regarding hamstring injury
The Detroit Lions’ secondary absorbed a significant blow after starting cornerback D.J. Reed exited the team’s Week 4 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury. Reed went down early in the fourth quarter while chasing receiver Jerry Jeudy on a deep route and immediately feared the worst.
“I thought I tore it off the bone,” Reed explained to the Detroit Free Press. “I thought it was a wrap. But that’s not the case, thank God.”
Medical evaluations later revealed a Grade 2/3 hamstring strain. While Reed avoided surgery, the Lions placed him on injured reserve (IR), ruling him out for at least four games. Under league rules, the earliest possible return date is Week 10 against the Washington Commanders on November 9, following Detroit’s Week 8 bye.
Reed acknowledged the severity of the injury but expressed optimism about his recovery.
“We don’t have a timetable of like when I’m going to be back, but yeah, I strained it pretty bad,” Reed said. “I don’t need surgery so just got to rehab it.”
The 28-year-old cornerback was still walking gingerly three days after the game, describing himself as “sore as hell.”
The adversity comes during Reed’s first season in Detroit, after signing a four-year, $48 million deal in free agency. Through his first four games, Reed recorded 16 tackles, four pass breakups, one interception, and a fumble recovery, showcasing the skill set that made him the Lions’ top offseason addition. His interception against the Browns directly set up a scoring drive, extending Detroit’s lead to 17–7 in the eventual 34–10 victory.
Reed’s willpower in the face of the injury did not go unnoticed. Head coach Dan Campbell cited the act as an example of Reed’s value, praising his selflessness and team-first mentality.
With Reed sidelined, the Lions have turned to roster adjustments to maintain depth. The team promoted safety Loren Strickland and linebacker Ty Summers from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, while adding cornerbacks Tre Flowers and Nick Whiteside to the practice unit. Strickland, who played seven games on special teams last season, will likely contribute primarily in that role again. Summers, who logged nearly 300 special teams snaps with the Giants in 2023, brings experience and depth to a unit already impacted by injuries.
Reed’s absence adds another wrinkle to the secondary’s problems. Rookie first-round pick Terrion Arnold left the Browns game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, though Campbell suggested his situation is less severe. Arnold was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, while safety Kerby Joseph sat out with a knee issue.
Detroit faces a difficult stretch without Reed, beginning with matchups against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5, followed by games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Minnesota Vikings. The Lions’ defense will be tested heavily through the air until Reed is eligible to return.
