Count on CeeDee Lamb for Cowboys' opener, teammate says

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will be in the lineup for the season opener next month, teammate Micah Parsons said Tuesday, saying there is "no doubt about it."

Lamb, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro last season, has been a no-show at Cowboys training camp while lobbying for a new contract. Under his current pact, the 25-year-old would be playing under a $17.99 million fifth-year option this season.

Star pass rusher Parsons, quarterback Dak Prescott and Lamb all are looking to get restructured contracts, and the team has said it intends to get those deals done.

The fines for Lamb's absence from a mandatory minicamp in June and training camp have exceeded $1 million, but Parsons doesn't see the holdout spilling over into the regular season, which opens for the Cowboys in Cleveland on Sept. 8.

"Obviously we miss him. He's one of the best people you can have in a locker room," Parsons said. "I'm pretty sure he'll be here soon. ... CeeDee is a part of this brotherhood whether he likes it or not. He knows he's not going anywhere. The business side, they're gonna take care of it, no doubt about it. On Week 1, he will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys."

Because Lamb is still playing under his rookie contract, any fines can be rescinded, according to ESPN.com.

Parsons said Lamb, who was removed from the team's active roster last week and put on the reserved/did not report list, would need just a few practices if/when he reports.

Brian Schottenheimer, who will be starting his first season as the team's offensive coordinator, said, "CeeDee's going to be ready. Again, if the system was different, that always adds different challenges. He knows what we do. He and Dak have what I would say are 1,000 or 10,000 banked reps together. And one thing I know about him is he's staying ready.

"A younger player, (there would be worry) because the system is new or different. ... There's wrinkles that he'll have to pick up on, but his (football intelligence) is unbelievable."

Lamb is coming off the best season of his four-year career, when he made 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns -- all career bests. He led the NFL in catches in 2023.

In his four seasons with Dallas, Lamb has amassed 395 catches for 5,145 yards and 32 touchdowns.

--Field Level Media