🚨🚨🚨LAMB HOPES TO RETURN: Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb remains optimistic about playing next week despite an ankle injury, sending a wave of relief through fans and the locker room. His presence could be the difference-maker Dallas needs to stay competitive, but questions linger about his full readiness. Can Lamb bounce back in time, or will the injury limit his impact?

CeeDee Lamb Might Be the Best Receiver in Football Right Now - D Magazine

Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) wait for play to resume against the Chicago Bears during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Dallas star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hurt his left ankle early in the 31-14 loss on Sunday to the Chicago Bears and said afterward that he will be ready to go when the Cowboys host the Green Bay Packers next week.

Lamb, who was ruled out to start the second half, was limited to six plays on Sunday in Chicago.

ESPN reported that Lamb is scheduled for an MRI on Monday. Lamb said afterward that he “absolutely” believes he can play when Dallas (1-2) hosts the Green Bay Packers (2-1) next Sunday night.

He went to the sideline after being dragged to the turf on a tackle by linebacker Noah Sewell that pulled his body opposite the direction of his forward momentum. Sewell landed on Lamb’s left knee and ankle on the play with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter.

Lining up at running back, Lamb was dropped for the loss of 1 yard, but the attempt didn’t count as an official carry because of offsetting penalties. Lamb grimaced as he made his way to the bench under his own power. Trainers ushered him to the blue medical tent but Lamb stayed in the bench area. The 11-play drive ended with Brandon Aubrey nailing a 53-yard field goal.

When the offense returned to the field with the Bears ahead 14-3, Lamb was walking gingerly on the sideline but did not have his helmet.

Lamb, 26, did return for the first play of the second quarter, but later told reporters that he “wasn’t even able to go, so, yeah, I was rushing in there a little bit there.”

The Cowboys medical staff had seen enough, Lamb said, and his day was over. He had zero targets.

“This was like one of those protect me away from myself type of deals,” Lamb said. “Once I started feeling much better and then I started getting strength back in my ankle as far as mobility and being able to cut and like real dynamic movements, I was ready to go back out there, but (the medical staff) told me no.”

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the team had to step in.

“There’s no doubt in my mind he would’ve gone out there hobbling around if we let him,” Jones said. “Let’s just keep our fingers crossed. You see the difference he can make by not being out there for us today.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Lamb was voted first-team All-Pro in 2023. He had 16 receptions on 24 targets for 222 yards in the first two games this season. He has 512 career receptions for 6,561 yards and 38 touchdowns, and 57 carries for 388 yards and three touchdowns in 83 regular-season games (78 starts).

Dallas selected Lamb with the 17th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma.