Inglewood, Calif. — Although Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb sat out Saturday’s 31-21 preseason defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, he was involved in one of the game’s more notable moments. Late in the second quarter, as quarterback Joe Milton III launched a deep pass to Jonathan Mingo, Lamb began celebrating in anticipation of a big play. However, he was unexpectedly tackled from behind by official Anthony Jeffries, who was positioned in the restricted white area on the sideline meant for referees.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed concern but confirmed that Lamb was fine, emphasizing the need for better awareness: “Seedy knows well. We know well.” Lamb was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the Rams were also flagged for pass interference. This resulted in the Cowboys moving the ball back from the Los Angeles 23-yard line to the 38, settling for a field goal instead.
Referee Alex Moore noted that such incidents are unusual since officials typically avoid the restricted area, calling it a rare occurrence. Despite the unusual collision, the Cowboys did not protest the penalty. Lamb was unharmed and even laughed it off with teammates. Milton remarked, “I saw him walking, so I think he’s pretty good.”
Schottenheimer was frustrated with the team’s overall discipline, as the Cowboys were penalized 11 times for 83 yards during the game. While he praised the team’s toughness on combative penalties, he criticized the pre-snap penalties, including backup tackle Asim Richards being flagged repeatedly for illegal formation due to misalignment. Schottenheimer stressed, “We can’t pay a penalty in this league.”
Fan Take: This incident highlights how even minor lapses in focus and discipline can impact a team’s performance and field position in critical moments. For NFL fans, it underlines the importance of precision and awareness—not just among players, but officials too—which can influence game outcomes and, ultimately, the sport’s integrity.
