CeeDee Lamb is active for Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Cowboys’ star receiver got off to a quiet start in Week 5.
Dallas did have a real conversation about who its top wideout would be entering the 2026 season. George Pickens had the louder 2025 résumé, piling up more than 1,400 yards, while Lamb finished second in receiving yards after missing time with injury.
That debate hasn’t lasted long. Lamb opened the year on a scorching pace and entered this matchup leading the Cowboys in receiving yards and the NFL, too.
But early against Tampa Bay, that production didn’t carry over.
Lamb didn’t see a target right away, while Dak Prescott leaned more toward Pickens in the first quarter. The Cowboys also spent a big chunk of the opening period on the sideline after the Buccaneers put together a nearly 10-minute drive on their first possession, limiting Dallas’ chances to get its passing game rolling.
UPDATE: Lamb has his first target on the Cowboys' third drive, and then he saw two more after that, but all fell incomplete.
Hey, at least Dak remembered he's out there.
END OF UPDATE
Yes, Lamb is healthy and active, he just hasn't been targeted yet.
Instead, Dak Prescott has preferred George Pickens more in the first quarter.
It also hasn't helped that the Bucs had a nearly 10-minute drive on their first series of the game, which has kept Dallas off the field.
That said, we wouldn't expect Lamb to go catchless for much longer.
Thursday’s matchup is part of the NFL’s Week 5 slate, which also includes Eagles-Jaguars in London on Sunday morning, followed by a full day of games across FOX and CBS, plus Ravens-Falcons on Sunday night.
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