CeeDee Lamb injury update: Major change emerges in Dallas Cowboys WR's status ahead of Commanders game

After sitting out the past four games with a high ankle sprain, injured Dallas Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb is expected to return to practice Wednesday, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. Schottenheimer also said he expects receiver KaVontae Turpin and rookie offensive guard Tyler Booker to practice as well, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt.

The Cowboys have long targeted a Week 7 return for the aforementioned offensive trio ahead of Sunday’s NFC East divisional game vs. the Washington Commanders. Lamb and Booker have both missed the last month after suffering dualing high ankle sprains in Week 3’s game at Chicago. Turpin, meanwhile, is returning following a two-game absence with an ankle injury.

“They are really beat up, but Lamb and others could be back, I’m told, next week,” ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said prior to last weekend’s game at Carolina. “That is sort of the loose plan, depending on how practice goes, leaving the window open for them. So they’re going to be out Lamb (this week). He’s looking at this two-three week window where he’s been trying to return.”

The return of Booker, Lamb and Turpin is expected to provide a big boost to a Cowboys offense that has shined in their absence, due in large part to an MVP-caliber performance from veteran quarterback Dak Prescott. The 32-year-old Prescott has been among the NFL’s most productive passers this season, leading the league with 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions while also ranking second with 1,617 passing yards and 79.2 quarterback rating through six games.

Despite the offensive production, Dallas (2-3-1) has been highly inconsistent, including going just 1-3 on the road following last Sunday’s 30-27 loss at the Panthers.

Brian Schottenheimer defends Matt Eberflus amid criticism of Cowboys defense

The Dallas Cowboys had statistically one of the five worst defenses in football last season. Six games into the 2025 season, and it’s gotten worse under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

After Sunday’s 30-27 Week 6 road defeat to the Carolina Panthers, in which Dallas surrendered 410 yards, the Cowboys have the NFL‘s No. 32 ranked defense. On the flip side, the Cowboys own the league’s No. 2 ranked offense. It hasn’t mattered, as Dallas is a disappointing 2-3-1.

Things look bleak for Eberflus and his side of the football. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer, however, has belief in Eberflus’ ability to turn it around.

“I’ve been Matt. I’ve been a coordinator,” Schottenheimer said Monday, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “And I’ve been where people are calling you out and saying you don’t know how to coach and, ‘Man, this guy is the worst coach in history.’ Matt Eberflus is a damn good football coach. We have to perform better.

“But I’ve been him, so part of me being in [the defensive meeting room] is to help as an asset, to tell him, ‘I believe in him. I understand what he’s going through.’ It sucks. It’s no fun. We’re gonna ride this thing out. And we’ll play better. We really will.”

— On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report.