Talkin' Cowboys: Clear the Way for CeeDee (Dec 12, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Talkin’ Cowboys," streaming from The Star in Frisco, dives deep into essential Dallas Cowboys storylines ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The hosts, including Kyle Youmans, Patrick "No C" Walker, Isaiah Stanback, and Josh Rodriguez, deliver injury updates, discuss offensive line concerns, analyze player returns, and share bold game predictions. A large focus is on CeeDee Lamb’s availability coming out of concussion protocol, and what his (eventually cleared) status means for the team’s offense and playoff outlook.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Injury Updates: Cowboys and Vikings (04:39–09:51)

• Tyler Guyton (T – Cowboys):

  • Did not participate in Thursday's practice.
  • Trending towards being unavailable for Sunday’s game.
  • "His trajectory is not great, Bob." – Patrick Walker (05:07)

• Malik Hooker (S – Cowboys):

  • Back at practice after missing time for personal (non-injury) reasons.

• Jake Ferguson (TE – Cowboys):

  • Sidelined from Thursday practice due to a calf issue; a downgrade from limited participation the day before.
  • His status is “game-time/practice-time decision,” and Friday/Saturday walkthroughs will be crucial.
  • If out, Luke Schoonmaker and Brevin Spann-Ford would step in, with Princeton Fant waiting in the wings.

• CeeDee Lamb (WR – Cowboys):

  • Was a full practice participant while still in concussion protocol.
  • Cleared from protocol in real-time during the episode (15:20)!
  • “CeeDee Lamb is confirmed cleared of concussion.” – Patrick Walker (15:59)
  • The mini-bye gave him a few extra rest days. The team and the independent neurologist had to sign off, but all physical/mental benchmarks were checked.
  • Lamb credited the staff for "protecting him from himself" after wanting to re-enter the game post-injury. (09:51)

• Vikings Injury Notes:

  • OT Christian Darrisaw (knee): Still not practicing.
  • TE TJ Hockenson (shin): Limited participation; potentially available for the game.
  • Other Vikings (Donovan Jackson, Theo Jackson, Drake Rodriguez) have all returned to full participation.

2. CeeDee Lamb: Return from Concussion and Mental Approach (07:26–11:35)

• Lamb reported no memory loss, except for a brief blackout.
• This is believed to be his first concussion as a Cowboy.
  • “That’s a pretty scary one to be your first one.” – Patrick Walker (10:56)
• Lamb is actively pushing himself in cognitive tests “trying to frustrate himself” just to verify there are no lingering effects.
• Panel discusses personal concussion history; Isaiah recalls three officially reported, and estimates twice as many total.

3. Offensive Line Worries: Tyler Guyton & Nate Thomas (16:16–23:18)

• With Guyton’s status uncertain, Nate Thomas may start at LT.
• Confidence is low; the group is “not absolutely sold” on Thomas as a future starter based on his inconsistency.
  • According to PFF, Thomas is ranked 81st (dead last) among NFL offensive tackles this season (18:03).
• "I just don’t believe that he’s a starter in this league... I think he can be a quality swing tackle, 100%." – Patrick Walker (18:46)
• Conversation about future options (Guyton at RT, Thomas as swing), and the need for Guyton to simply stay healthy and get reps to develop.

4. Get Your Popcorn Ready: Netflix-Themed Predictions (28:09–35:28)

• Josh Rodriguez’s Segment:
  “Get Your Popcorn Ready” presents three Netflix-themed, bold game predictions:

  1. Stranger Things Patient 9:
     • JJ McCarthy (Vikings QB) commits 3 turnovers vs the Cowboys (29:52).
  2. Seven Reasons Why:
     • Trayvon Diggs returns and gets an interception (30:01).
  3. Shiesty Claus:
     • George Pickens (Steelers WR) steals the show with 2 TDs and 140 yards (31:12).
  • Co-hosts unanimously pick “Stranger Things Patient 9”—expecting rookie QB McCarthy to struggle most.
  • “I still… J.J. McCarthy… the more time he has to throw… he is Pepe Le Pew.” – Kyle Yeomans (33:13)

5. Pick ‘Em Segment: Game Predictions Across the League (40:19–51:34)

• Panelists & Fan (Mike in NY) make picks for weekend NFL games.
  • Highlights: Most pick Ravens over Bengals, Broncos over Packers, and Panthers over Saints.
• Cowboys–Vikings Predictions:

  • All pick Cowboys to win, projecting 31–40 points for Dallas:

    • Patrick: “34–20, Cowboys.” (49:37)
    • Kyle: “30–23, Cowboys.” (50:04)
    • Josh: “40–17, 40 burger Monday, Cowboys!” (50:30)

  • “Cowboys are not going to lose at home.” – Mike, fan caller (48:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• CeeDee Lamb cleared on air:
  “CD Lam is confirmed. Cleared of concussion.” – Patrick Walker (15:59)

• On social media rumors:
  “Please stop following [rumors] on Facebook, folks.” – Patrick Walker (07:34)

• On CeeDee’s self-awareness:
  “He’s intentionally trying to frustrate himself with the psychological test to kind of push to see if there are any residual effects.” – Patrick Walker (11:18)

• On Nate Thomas (OL):
  “I don’t think he’s the worst offensive tackle in football right now… but it is interesting that [PFF] believe that.” – Kyle Yeomans (18:43)

• On building for the future:
  "We’re rebuilding, getting a draft pick, getting ready for free agency." – Patrick Walker (41:23)

Important Timestamps

• Cowboys Injury News: 04:39–07:02
• CeeDee Lamb Concussion Discussion: 07:26–11:35
• Offensive Line & Thomas vs. Guyton: 16:16–23:18
• “Get Your Popcorn Ready” Predictions: 28:09–35:28
• NFL Pick ‘Em Segment: 40:19–51:34
• Cowboys–Vikings Predictions: 48:11–50:44

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is lively and conversational, packed with friendly ribbing, pop culture references (from Blossom to Stranger Things), and a passionate, sometimes humorous, approach to Cowboys analysis. The “Say It With Your Chest Friday” energy is real—big personalities, bigger predictions, and strong, supportive hope for a continued Cowboys playoff push.

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you didn’t catch the episode, here’s what matters: CeeDee Lamb was officially cleared from concussion protocol during the show, easing a major worry for the Cowboys offense. There’s some concern over offensive line depth and performance, especially if Tyler Guyton can’t play, but the panel expects Dallas to handle the Vikings comfortably. The team’s playoff hunger (and confidence) is palpable, with everyone on the show buying a emphatic Cowboys win Sunday night.

“If you want 40 burgers, get ready, ‘cause it’s happening!” – Josh Rodriguez (50:30)