How CeeDee Lamb's injury doomed Cowboys in loss to Bears

David Suggs

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How CeeDee Lamb's injury doomed Cowboys in loss to Bears image

The Dallas Cowboys were dealt an unfortunate hand during their Week 3 fixture against the Chicago Bears, losing star receiver CeeDee Lamb to an ankle injury less than a quarter into the game.

The ailment was as awkward as it was significant; Lamb's ankle buckled under the weight of a Bears defender. He attempted to return to the contest a few plays later. But the injury won out, relegating the All-Pro talent to the bench for the remainder of the game.

Lamb's injury proved costly for Dallas, who fell to previously winless Chicago, 31-14. Here's a closer look at the result -- and the impact Lamb's injury had in shaping it.

MORE NFL WEEK 3: 

CeeDee Lamb injury update

Lamb exited Sunday's match with an apparent left ankle injury. The Cowboys wideout got tangled while striding down the field after reeling in a Dak Prescott pass partway through the first quarter.

Lamb's left ankle was trapped beneath the defender's foot on the tackle, seemingly placing a lot of tension on his joint. He was summarily taken to the medical tent and assessed, receiving an official diagnosis of having an ankle injury.

Lamb reentered the game a drive later and even attempted one of his patented intricate patterns. But he checked himself out one play into his homecoming, spending the rest of the match fixed to the sideline.

MORE NFL WEEK 3:

How CeeDee Lamb's injury doomed Cowboys in loss to Bears

Lamb's malady wasn't the sole reason why Dallas fell to the Bears on Sunday evening. But it certainly didn't help matters, either. The Cowboys pass-catcher is one of the best at his position, adept at ripping unruly efforts out the sky and making defenders rattle and roll.

Dallas sought some different options to power its receiving attack. Results were fairly uneven: Dak Prescott completed 19 of his first 22 passes, showcasing efficiency reminiscent of his MVP-caliber campaigns in 2021 and 2023.

MORE: How long is CeeDee Lamb out? 

Lamb's void became more evident as the game wore on. George Pickens reeled in a touchdown catch in the first half. But in the second, a Prescott pass slipped through his grasp, resulting in an interception.

Ultimately, the Cowboys were unable to quell Caleb Williams, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze and Chicago's offense. That was the most glaring issue in Dallas' defeat on Sunday evening.

But Lamb's absence certainly played a role.

George Pickens stats today

StatTotal
Targets9
Catches5
Receiving yards68
Touchdown1
Yards per catch13.6

Pickens didn't instantly become Prescott's favorite target in Lamb's absence. In fact, that title belonged to Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson, who drew double-digit targets for the second-straight week.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys newcomer did see some increased attention with Lamb on the mend. Pickens recorded his second touchdown of the season, plucking a Prescott effort out of the sky from two yards out.

That wasn't enough to best Caleb Williams and the Bears, who cruised to a double-digit victory following the sophomore QB's four-touchdown display.

After the game, Lamb said that his ankle was all right and that he "absolutely" feels like he can play next week. 

The Cowboys face the Micah Parsons and the Packers in Week 4 on Sunday Night Football.

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.