CeeDee Lamb Ruled Out Multiple Weeks With Ankle Sprain, George Pickens Emerges As WR1
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The Dallas Cowboys suffered loss on and off the field during Sunday’s matchup versus the Chicago Bears. During Dallas’ 31-14 loss, All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s game.
On Monday, Lamb was ruled out for multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain upon further evaluation. NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Lamb will be sidelined for at least the next two games.
Fortunately for Lamb’s fantasy owners, the Cowboys have shown no intention of placing the star receiver on injured reserve, which would keep him sidelined for at least four games. Lamb’s timetable could have him return for the Cowboys’ trip to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 12.
Lamb’s injury proved detrimental for a Cowboys offense that mustered just one score through the air on Sunday. Through two games, the WR1 in Dallas eclipsed the 110-yard mark in each of his first two games, posting strong production from a fantasy football perspective. But how will his injury affect the remainder of the Cowboys’ offense in fantasy over the next several weeks.
Dallas Cowboys Offensive Fantasy Outlook
Lamb will miss a crucial matchup versus the Green Bay Packers in Week 4, followed by a showdown against a potentially dangerous New York Jets squad in Week 5.
Looking at the depth behind Lamb, tight end Jake Ferguson emerged as the lead option in the offense’s receiving group. He caught a game-high 13 passes on 14 targets for 82 yards.
George Pickens, who Jerry Jones acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers in May, saw nine targets, catching five for 68 yards including a touchdown reception near the goal line in the second quarter.
The trade for Pickens looks like a genius move from Jones with Lamb set to miss time. Pickens will step into the WR1 role, but the depth behind him and Ferguson is thin.
The production from the interim feature options is an encouraging sign. Ferguson logged 21.2 fantasy points in PPR leagues, finishing third among tight ends in Week 3. The tight end’s fantasy production has been on the rise over the last two weeks after a 7.3-point performance in Week 1.
Pickens’ production has also seen promising growth, posting 17.8 points in each of his last two games.
KaVontae Turpin also emerged behind Pickens and Ferguson, hauling in two passes for 64 yards.
Pickens and Ferguson are must starts in a pass-heavy Cowboys offense until Lamb returns. The notable production of the tandem could take a hit versus a star-studded Packers defense
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Ethen Hutton is a MLB, WNBA, College, and Fantasy contributor at On SI. Previously, he's covered the NBA, WNBA and NFL for Sportskeeda. Hutton is also a passionate fantasy football player and an immense music lover.