Week 1 isn’t a game most teams necessarily want to win, but the Dallas Cowboys will undoubtedly be in a hurry to beat the Cleveland Browns. They made the playoffs last year and have one of the best defenses in the NFL.

While rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton has shined in the preseason, he’ll struggle on Sunday against reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Dak Prescott will understandably be under pressure in this game, so CeeDee Lamb’s presence, or lack thereof, will be a major factor.

Lamb only signed his blockbuster four-year, $136 million extension last week, giving Lamb about two weeks to prepare for the game after sitting out most of training camp.

You could understand the Cowboys wanting to be careful with their superstar receiver, but Lamb dismissed the idea of ​​sitting out Week 1 the moment he signed his extension. Yes, Cowboys fans, No. 88 will be there Sunday.

Lamb was a full participant in the Cowboys’ first padded practice of the week. Not only is Lamb playing, but he won’t even be on a pitch count. Despite being hitless all offseason, Lamb is a full participant Sunday, meaning he should see his typically monstrous target share.

“Yes, I’m ready,” sayshelp Lamb about playing. “Today was definitely one of those days and again, shout out to the guys, the coaches, for really guiding me through this whole week. Obviously I knew I was ready mentally and physically it’s a little bit of a different story, but today got me ready.

“It was a full contact, full padded practice and we plan and set up different things, so I got to compete against those things. That was fun.”

If there was any doubt about Lamb’s status, the Cowboys activated Lamb from the exempt list to the 53-man roster on Saturday. For what it’s worth, Dallas also signed linebacker Nick Vigil from the practice squad.

The Cowboys were smart with Lamb after he signed. Although No. 88 trained diligently during his holdout, it was impossible for him to match the intensity and physicality of an NFL workout. Not only did Lamb have to take some beating before he could play in the regular season, he also needed a lengthy rebuilding period to avoid a potential soft-tissue injury.

Lamb taking the full whack against the Browns may be a bit risky, but he’s been confident since his contract was announced that he’ll be on the field without any restrictions.

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