OXNARD, Calif. — The first preseason game is in the rearview mirror for the Dallas Cowboys, and though CeeDee Lamb would not have participated in that contest against the Los Angeles Rams, or the ones to come against the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers, his holdout stemming from contract talks does begin to speed toward the regular season opener; but Micah Parsons isn't worried.
As a matter of fact, Parsons has not only been in obvious contact with the record-setting receiver throughout this entire process, but he's beyond confident it will be resolved soon.
"CeeDee checked in on me," said the All-Pro pass rusher one day prior to the Cowboys' second joint practice against the Rams. "He's been watching the practice film and telling me, 'You're going crazy.' We have our talks but, at the end of the day, [he] knows what it is."
Talks have continued and even picked up steam between the Cowboys and Lamb's representation over the past couple of weeks, including an exchanging of offers to try and come to terms on what could possibly be a record-setting multi-year deal or, at minimum, very near it.
When he shows up, the Cowboys have discretion to wave the fines that are now adding up to the tune of $40,000 per day and much more for being unavailable for preseason contests.
Though owner and general manager Jerry Jones made headlines recently by downplaying the urgency of the matter, reframing the words ahead of the preseason opener by clarifying his intent — Lamb would not take the field in the preseason anyway, but that the Cowboys do miss him being in Oxnard.
The latter is a sentiment that was echoed by All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott directly after Jones' comments, and now by Parsons.
"Obviously, we miss him," Parsons said. "He's one of the best people you can have in a locker room. I'm pretty sure he'll be here soon."
He'd then go one step further in declaring, unequivocally, that Lamb will be on the field against the Cleveland Browns on Sep. 8.
"CeeDee is a part of this brotherhood whether he likes it or not," said the three-time Pro Bowler on Tuesday. "He knows he's not going anywhere. The business side, they're gonna take care of it — no doubt about it.
"On Week 1, he will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys."
Both sides have 27 days from this very moment to prove Parsons correct.
Though, to be perfectly honest and taking all things into account over the past several weeks, it doesn't feel as if he's lion in his prediction.
And, no, that's not a typo.
