CeeDee Lamb’s Unexpected Hit and Penalty in Cowboys Preseason Opener

The Dallas Cowboys faced a surprising moment in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, even without CeeDee Lamb on the field. The talented wide receiver created quite a buzz when he unintentionally drew a penalty while watching the action unfold.

Key Incident: Collision with an Official

During the second quarter of the game, Lamb, dressed in street clothes, was standing too close to the sideline when an official sprinting to keep up with the play collided with him, resulting in a costly 15-yard penalty for the Cowboys.

• What Happened?: CeeDee Lamb was signaling to teammates while positioned in the white border of the restricted area when the official, focused on the play, collided with him.
• Outcome: The collision knocked both Lamb and the official to the ground, leading to a penalty for sideline interference.

Referee Insights

Referee Alex Moore explained the ruling, stating:

“CeeDee Lamb was standing in the restricted white border area, which is our area to officiate the game… with that contact, it’s an automatic foul.”

Despite the unexpected hit, Lamb laughed it off with teammates after getting back on his feet with no visible injuries.

Impact on the Game

Despite the unusual nature of the incident, the penalty significantly impacted the Cowboys’ performance. The 15-yard loss was subtracted from a 51-yard gain obtained by Dallas due to a simultaneous pass interference call on Rams’ defensive back Shaun Jolly.

Coach’s Perspective

Dallas offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer addressed the incident post-game:

“Just like the pre-snap penalties, that penalty, we’ve got to be better with discipline… CeeDee knows better. We know better.”

This moment underlines the importance of maintaining situational awareness, even when off the field.

A Rare Occurrence

• Uncommon Situation: Referee Moore noted that such a collision is rare, stating, “Normally we don’t have anybody standing that deep into the restricted area, or that type of forceful contact.”
• League Regulations: The NFL enforces strict sideline rules to ensure officials can carry out their duties without obstruction.

Conclusion

CeeDee Lamb’s sideline mishap during the Cowboys’ 31-21 loss to the Rams serves as a reminder that discipline extends beyond the field. As the Cowboys prepare for the rest of the preseason, they must focus on maintaining situational awareness and avoid penalties that can derail their game.

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Stay tuned for updates as the Cowboys gear up for the regular season!