Cowboys announce gameday reinforcement in light of CeeDee Lamb injury before Week 4 matchup vs Packers

The Dallas Cowboys will be without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in Week 4 when they take on the Green Bay Packers and though there's no replacing a talent like his, the coaching staff is elevating a wide receiver from the practice squad for improved depth on gameday.

The player in question is Jalen Cropper, who has been on the Cowboys' practice squad since 2023. Cropper has only one game of NFL regular season experience under his belt but has been a yearly preseason standout.

What to expect from Jalen Cropper on Sunday

To be blunt, not much offensively. The burden of replacing Lamb will fall on George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin.

"(Turpin is) 100% ready," Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams told reporters earlier in the week. "He's kind of the straw that stirs the drink out there. He is in a way that's probably a little bit hard to understand from the outside looking in. He's got a lot of really positive leadership qualities to him. He's a connector."

Speaking of Turpin, Cropper could help him on return duties on special teams. He lined up as a kickoff and punt returner in the preseason a combined 13 times. With the new dynamic kickoff rules, NFL teams are often lining up two returners instead of one. In punt duties, I would expect Dallas to leave Turpin but workload management could be a factor now that his role on offense will be increased.

CeeDee Lamb not placed on Injured Reserve

Though he's ruled out for Week 4, Lamb—who suffered an ankle injury in the Cowboys' loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 3—hasn't been placed on IR. He would have to miss a minimum four games if placed on it.

"I still think we’re not forced to do anything right now," Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday.

The Cowboys play the Packers on Sunday Night Football at AT&T Stadium as seven-point underdogs.

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