The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a crucial Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with one obvious problem still hanging over their offense: the running game has not delivered.

Through the opening two games of the 2026 season, Dallas has managed just 67.5 rushing yards per game, leaving the Cowboys with one of the least productive ground attacks in the NFL.

That has naturally led to questions about whether head coach Brian Schottenheimer could look for more creative ways to involve his most dangerous offensive weapon.

CeeDee Lamb has already been mentioned as one possible solution.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently suggested that Dallas could find additional ways to get both Lamb and KaVontae Turpin involved as the team attempts to generate more production on the ground.

However, Schottenheimer’s latest comments provide an important clue about how the Cowboys actually view Lamb’s role.

Schottenheimer addresses the Lamb question

There is a reason Dallas may be reluctant to regularly use Lamb as a running back.

Last season, the Cowboys experimented with moving him into the backfield during their game against the Chicago Bears. Lamb was subsequently injured and forced to leave the contest.

When Schottenheimer was asked about the possibility of putting Lamb into the running game again, the Cowboys coach acknowledged that it is not necessarily the team’s preferred option.

At the same time, he made it clear that Dallas remains interested in finding creative ways to get the football into the hands of its best players.

That distinction could become increasingly important as the season develops.

Lamb does not need additional opportunities to demonstrate his value as a receiver. He has already been one of the most productive players on the Cowboys’ offense during the opening weeks of the campaign.

The star receiver has recorded 13 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

His Week 2 performance against Washington was particularly impressive, with Lamb producing eight catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Those numbers underline why Dallas may ultimately decide that keeping Lamb in his traditional role is the safest way to maximize his impact.

Dallas may have another option

While Lamb has received attention because of the Cowboys’ rushing struggles, KaVontae Turpin could be a more natural candidate for some of the creative touches Jones discussed.

Turpin’s speed and versatility give Dallas another way to manufacture yards without exposing Lamb to unnecessary punishment.

For Schottenheimer, the bigger challenge is finding a way to get the Cowboys’ actual running backs moving.

Javonte Williams has struggled to establish himself early in the season, averaging only slightly more than three yards per carry.

That will need to improve if Dallas wants to prevent opposing defenses from becoming completely comfortable defending the passing game.

At the moment, Dak Prescott has understandably continued to rely heavily on Lamb.

The Cowboys have also struggled to get George Pickens fully involved, meaning the offense has increasingly revolved around the connection between Prescott and his star receiver.

Ravens could force Dallas to throw

The timing of the problem is significant because Baltimore presents a difficult opponent for a team trying to establish the run.

The Ravens have shown early-season strength against rushing attacks, meaning Dallas could have difficulty suddenly transforming its ground game against one of the better defenses in that area.

That could put even greater responsibility on Prescott, Lamb and Pickens.

For Lamb specifically, that may mean another heavy workload as Dallas attempts to attack Baltimore through the air.

Rather than dramatically changing his role, the Cowboys could therefore continue using Lamb as the primary receiving weapon while searching for other solutions to their rushing problems.

The bigger question is whether Dallas can eventually become more balanced.

A functioning running game would make life easier for Prescott, create additional opportunities for the receivers and potentially force defenses to defend the Cowboys differently.

But until that happens, Lamb remains one of the clearest answers Dallas has on offense.

And Schottenheimer’s comments suggest that while the Cowboys are willing to be creative, they are also conscious of the risks that come with taking their best receiver away from the position where he has already been dominating.

Week 3 against Baltimore could reveal just how much Dallas is willing to experiment — and whether the Cowboys can finally find a solution to the problem that has followed them through the opening two games.