The Dallas Cowboys may not have All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for their Week 5 game against the New York Jets, but the Cowboys don’t seem likely to be without him for much longer.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer offered an update on Lamb’s high-ankle sprain, and he said Lamb is getting closer to returning, even though they do not expect him to be play against the Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Lamb is expected to miss his second straight full game after he sustained the ankle injury in the first quarter of Dallas’ 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 21. He played just seven snaps before getting injured on a rushing attempt that was negated by a holding penalty.

CeeDee Lamb Is Not Far From Returning

A high-ankle sprain is one of the trickiest injuries for a skill-position player to deal with, since it is affected when he cuts for routes or while running with the ball. Plus, high-ankle sprains can continue to linger for weeks based on their severity.

So it’s not a surprise that Lamb is going to the Jets game — especially on the suspect turf at MetLife Stadium.

Yet, what is interesting is Schottenheimer’s comments, which were positive for Cowboys fans.

“I think the window is getting smaller [for Lamb to return],” Schottenheimer said, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.

Lamb is third on the Cowboys in receiving yards (222) and second, behind George Pickens, in yards per game (74.0) — even though he didn’t really play the third game. He has two 110-plus-yard performances this season.

The Cowboys Offense Is Still Explosive Without CeeDee Lamb

The Cowboys offense somehow was more explosive without Lamb in their Week 4 tie against the Green Bay Packers. They put up 436 offensive yards, and quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 319 yards — 134 of which went to George Pickens.

Dallas is 1-2-1 mainly due to its suspect defense. But it is fifth in the NFL in points per game (28.5) even though it was shut out by the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener at Lincoln Financial Field. Though, part of that was due to a third-quarter lightning delay.

Still, it remains to be seen whether the Cowboys can put up points on the road, since they are scoring 40 points per game at AT&T Stadium yet are only putting up 17 per game in their two away games.

Can Prescott, Pickens and Co. put up yards and points through the air against the suspect Jets defense? New York ranks 12th in passing-yards against per game (199.8), yet is tied for ninth-most passing TDs allowed (7) through four games.

The Jets defense is also tied for 29th in points-against per game (30.0), including giving up 27 points against the hapless Miami Dolphins on Monday night — who played the second half without Tyreek Hill.

So even though it does not expect to have Lamb, Dallas’ next two games are extremely winnable — at the Jets and at the Carolina Panthers — before it hosts the NFC East-rival Washington Commanders on Oct. 19. Based on Schottenheimer’s comments, Lamb should be back in time for the game against Washington — barring any setbacks.