Across all levels of all sports, it is known that a sprained ankle is often not something to play with. Ankle injuries vary in distinction, but high-ankle sprains are typically viewed as the most detrimental.

The Dallas Cowboys are in a precarious position after three-time All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb sustained an ankle injury early in a Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears. Lamb initially tried to return but was clearly limited and eventually took himself out.

Testing confirmed a high-ankle sprain, raising questions about Lamb’s availability in the coming weeks. How much time he misses will depend on his recovery, but history shows this type of injury can take a toll on players of his caliber.

Here’s what to know about Lamb’s injury and how much time he could miss this season.

CeeDee Lamb injury details

Lamb sustained a high-ankle sprain during Dallas’ Week 3 loss to Chicago. The injury occurred on an awkward play when his ankle became trapped between a defender’s leg and the field.

CeeDee Lamb hasn’t yet returned to Cowboys-Bears game after this tangle, with an ankle angle that does not look goodpic.twitter.com/b15S0N4th6

https://twitter.com/JoriEpstein/status/1969868689861136744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Postgame tests revealed Lamb’s injury was a high ankle sprain. And while Lamb initially said he would be good to play in the Cowboys’ next game, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that Lamb could miss 3-4 weeks.

A high ankle sprain refers to damage to the ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula. High ankle sprains often occur when the ankle turns inward while the foot is flexed upward — a motion that differs from most low ankle sprains.

Ankle sprains are often classified as Grades 1-3, but there has been no formal designation of Lamb’s sprain beyond its location. Lamb missing multiple weeks would suggest he suffered a high-grade sprain.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has not ruled out the team placing Lamb on injured reserve, which would hold him out for four weeks.

High ankle sprain recovery time in the NFL

The recovery timeline for a high-ankle sprain in the NFL depends on the injury’s severity.

Grade 1 sprains typically require 1–2 weeks to heal, while Grade 2 sprains usually take 4–6 weeks. The language surrounding Lamb’s injury suggests he is dealing with a Grade 2 sprain.

Edwin Porras, founder of Pro Athlete Physical Therapy, outlined that one-quarter of the WRs who attempted to return from a high ankle sprain within two weeks, reinjured their ankle.

High ankle sprain grades

Here is the scale on which high ankle sprains are classified:

Grade 1

A Grade 1 high ankle sprain suggests the ligament in the high ankle is stretched, but not torn.

Grade 2

A Grade 2 high ankle sprain means that the ligament in the high ankle is partially torn.

Grade 3

Grade 3 high ankle sprains describe an injury where the ligament in the high ankle is completely torn.

Notable NFL players with high ankle sprains

One of the most notable recent examples of a high-ankle sprain in the NFL occurred in Week 15 of the 2024-25 season, when Patrick Mahomes suffered the injury.

Despite the injury, Mahomes played three games in 11 days, as the Kansas City Chiefs had only a three-day turnaround between Weeks 16 and 17. He sat out the season finale in Week 18.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir also sustained a high-ankle sprain during training camp and was ruled “week to week” on Aug. 3. He missed the preseason but was active for Week 1 of the season on Sept. 7.