The Dallas Cowboys’ 31-21 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams had no shortage of action, but one of the most talked-about moments happened on the sideline. Star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who wasn’t playing in the game, found himself on the receiving end of a surprising hit, not from an opposing player, but from an official.
Sideline Collision And Penalty Cost Cowboys Momentum During Second Quarter Against Los Angeles Rams
In the second quarter, as quarterback launched a deep pass toward Jonathan Mingo, Lamb began celebrating in anticipation of a big play. Unfortunately, he was standing in the restricted white-painted area along the sideline, meant solely for officials. Side judge Anthony Jeffries, sprinting downfield to follow the play, collided hard with Lamb, knocking him off balance.
Joe Milton III (NFL)The result was costly for Dallas. The officials penalized the Cowboys 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. While the Rams were also flagged for pass interference, the penalties offset in a way that moved the ball from the Los Angeles 23-yard line back to the 38. Dallas’s drive stalled, and they had to settle for a field goal instead of pushing for a touchdown.
Discipline Lapses And Avoidable Mistakes Highlight Cowboys’ Struggles In Preseason Loss
Coach Brian Schottenheimer made it clear that Lamb should have avoided the restricted zone, calling it a lapse in discipline. Referee Alex Moore labeled the incident rare but preventable, noting that the area exists to keep referees safe during live play. Despite the impact, Lamb was unharmed and laughed off the hit with teammates, while Milton confirmed he appeared fine afterward.
The sideline mishap was just one example of a broader issue for Dallas in the game. The team racked up 11 penalties for 83 yards, including repeated illegal formation calls against backup tackle Asim Richards. While Schottenheimer said he could live with aggressive, in-play fouls, he stressed that mental errors and procedural penalties, like Lamb’s sideline infraction, are damaging and must be eliminated moving forward.
