Cowboys OTAs: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens Absent; Neck Surgery For Lineman

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the best offenses in the NFL, in large part because of the two-headed Pro Bowl monster in the wide receiver room.

But as Dallas opened its Week 2 OTAs here on Tuesday inside The Star, those two heads who are so key to coach Brian Schottenheimer's group were absent.

George Pickens was a no-show to the voluntary session, with the team generally expressing continued optimism that he'll be present - with his $27.3 million franchise tag contract - for mandatory work on June 16.

"I’m thrilled when George comes walking through these doors, hopefully next week, and I expect to see him next week," Schottenheimer said about Pickens. "What he can do for this football team on the field is unmatched in a lot of regards. But I’m really excited to see the step he takes from a leadership and influence standpoint." 

Hmm. The insertion of the word "hopefully'' feels like a new and careful wrinkle.

Meanwhile ...

CeeDee Lamb was also missing, with Schottenheimer telling us his is an excused absence.

And on this day, also taking a bite out of that side of the ball? Veteran offensive lineman Matt Hennessy, signed here this spring as a free agent from Atlanta - where he'd been a part-time starter - was not able to work.

The reason? He's having neck surgery and figures to spend a big part of the summer on the PUP list.

The rest of the unavailable guys today: DaRon Bland (foot), Donovan Ezeiruaku (personal), Jonathan Mingo (groin) and Jalen Thompson (pec).

Now, once everybody gets healthy and together? It is hoped that last year's performance by the Dak Prescott-led offense can be repeated.

The offense averaged 27.7 points per game (ranked seventh), was second in passing yards per game (266.3), eighth in rushing yards per game (125.6), and seventh in total touchdowns (51).

The one blip was the percentage of touchdowns scored once Dallas got into the red zone, which was just 56 percent (ranked 16th).

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So, overall, the Cowboys were among the best in football on offense, but so many times it felt like there was a lot of meat left on the bone.

And when asked how much better the offense can be in 2026, All-Pro receiver Lamb gave a rather straight answer.

"A lot better," Lamb said. "We (weren't) No. 1 last year."

So that appears to be the goal. Be the No. 1 offense in football.

Now, CeeDee didn't mention how the Cowboys could do that, whether it be points per game or anything like that, but I think most agree that the unit has the potential to be the best in football.

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Let's not forget that all of those stats include Dallas' second-half fadeouts, in which it didn't get into the end zone for nearly a month, and it was only Joe Milton in Week 18 that stopped that unwanted streak.

So there is still plenty to work on for Schottenheimer and his offense as we get ready for that mandatory minicamp on June 16.

With Lamb, Prescott, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson and Pickens, the potency is there.

What's yet to be determined for certain?

Along the path to trying to be the No. 1 offense in the NFL, will George Pickens be there?