Cowboys’ silver lining? It’s easy to dream on George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb-led offense

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the Cowboys, if there’s one piece of optimism to take after Sunday’s 30-27 loss in Carolina, it’s the play of George Pickens.

And the optimism generated by what he and fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb could do moving forward.

Pickens set a new career high for the second time in three weeks in receiving yards, finishing with 168 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Pickens now has 32 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns. He’s on pace for career highs in catches and yards this season. He’s already set a career-high in touchdown catches.

Overall, it was a bittersweet day for Pickens.

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“Just like disheartening,” he said, “because I definitely want to get the dub first over anything.”

Perhaps what’s most impressive has been his production without Lamb, who has missed three straight games with a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. That stretch has a good chance of ending next Sunday.

“It’s definitely going to be an increase with him coming back with the playmaking ability he’s got,” Pickens said after the game. “It’s definitely going to help us.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is equally excited to throw to both Lamb and Pickens — especially now that he and Pickens have found some rapport together.

“It’s fun to throw to a guy like that,” Prescott said of Pickens. “It’s fun to watch him. Speaking of CeeDee: he gets back and he gets healthy, good luck on how teams are going to play us. You’ve got guys like [Jake Ferguson]. You’ve got other playmakers out there making plays … George definitely opens it up.”

Twitter/X: @JoeJHoyt

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