CeeDee Lamb’s sideline collision draws unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Cowboys’ preseason opener against Rams.
LOS ANGELES — It appears the Dallas Cowboys‘ 2025 season is starting with a bang — literally.
Just a few minutes into the second quarter of the Cowboys’ first preseason game against the LA Rams, star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb took arguably the hardest hit of the night thus far — and he wasn’t even playing in the game, let alone wearing any shoulder pads or a helmet.
Quarterback Joe Milton launched a deep pass to Johnathan Mingo, who appeared to get behind the defense. On the sideline, CeeDee Lamb turned his back to the field and pointed toward the end zone in celebration. In doing so, he didn’t see a referee running down the sideline, and the two collided, knocking Lamb face-first into the turf.
Thankfully, Lamb appeared not to be too phased by the hit as he popped up quickly and joked with his teammates on the sideline.
The craziest part about the play was that the ball was underthrown and Mingo was interfered with by Rams safety Saun Jolly, drawing a penalty. But because of Lamb’s sideline collision, the Cowboys were also flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, pushing the ball back to the Rams’ 38-yard line.
So, it’s not just the players on the field that are getting back into the rhythm of things — the players on the sideline also need some walkthroughs.