Ryan Flournoy Is Earning His Moment - And the Cowboys Need to Let Him Run With It
CeeDee Lamb’s health has been front and center for Cowboys fans heading into Week 15 - and for good reason. The star wideout exited last Thursday’s loss to the Lions with a concussion, and any time your top offensive weapon goes down, it sends a ripple through the entire game plan.
But the latest signs are promising. Lamb was back on the practice field this week, running through drills, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said he’s feeling “good” about Lamb clearing the final steps of concussion protocol.
Still, Lamb hasn’t officially been cleared yet, and even if he suits up, the Cowboys would be wise to keep a close eye on the rest of their receiving corps - especially Ryan Flournoy. The second-year wideout stepped up in a big way against Detroit and may have just carved out a bigger role for himself, regardless of Lamb’s status.
Flournoy’s Breakout Couldn’t Come at a Better Time
Flournoy’s rookie season was quiet, and the start of his sophomore campaign didn’t exactly turn heads either. But the former sixth-round pick showed signs of life back in Week 5 when Lamb missed a game against the Jets. Flournoy took full advantage, hauling in six catches for 114 yards in a 37-22 win on the road - a performance that hinted at something more.
Then came the regression. Over the next six games, Flournoy was a non-factor, managing just four catches on six targets for 21 yards and two touchdowns. His role shrank behind Lamb and George Pickens, and it looked like that Week 5 flash might’ve been a one-off.
But last week, with Lamb sidelined again, Flournoy answered the call. He posted career highs across the board: 9 receptions, 115 yards, and a touchdown on 53 offensive snaps.
That’s not just a nice fill-in performance - that’s a statement. It showed that Flournoy isn’t just a depth piece.
He’s a legitimate contributor who can help diversify this passing attack.
Why Dallas Needs to Keep Feeding Him
Lamb and Pickens form one of the more dangerous wide receiver tandems in the league, no question. But even the best duos can’t carry the load every week.
When Lamb exited against Detroit, Pickens was left to shoulder the burden - and the Lions were ready. They bracketed him with safety help, neutralizing his deep-threat ability.
He finished with just 37 yards and a costly fumble.
That’s where Flournoy comes in. His emergence offers Dallas a third viable option - a guy who can win one-on-one matchups and keep defenses honest.
And it’s been a while since the Cowboys had that kind of reliable WR3. You have to go back to 2021, when Lamb, Amari Cooper, and Cedrick Wilson all topped 45 catches, 600 yards, and six touchdowns.
That trio helped power an offense that led the league in both scoring (31.2 PPG) and total yardage (407.0 YPG).
That year also marked the start of three straight 12-win seasons. Coincidence?
Maybe. But it’s hard to ignore how much more dynamic this offense looked when it had a third receiver who could make plays.
Flournoy Has Earned More Than Just a Spot - He’s Earned Trust
The knock on Flournoy has been consistency. He hasn’t strung together a stretch of big games yet.
But now, with two 100-yard performances on the season, he’s showing that those flashes aren’t flukes. He’s not just filling in - he’s producing.
And with the regular season winding down and playoff positioning on the line, this is the time to ride the hot hand.
The NFL is a league built on opportunity, especially this time of year. Championships are won by teams that can adapt, that can find new contributors when the usual suspects are banged up or bottled up.
Flournoy has shown he has that “next man up” mentality. He’s stepped in twice now and delivered when the Cowboys needed him most.
If Dallas wants to make a serious run this winter, they’ll need more than just their stars. They’ll need guys like Flournoy - players who stay ready, seize their moments, and force the coaching staff to keep them on the field.
The Cowboys have something brewing with this young receiver. The smart move now?
Don’t let that momentum go to waste.