The Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) saw their playoff hopes dwindle after losing in Week 14.

Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb was injured in the loss and entered the NFL's concussion protocol.

Dallas hosts the Minnesota Vikings (5-8) on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 15. The question remaining is whether the star wide receiver will be available as the Cowboys cling to their playoff hopes.

He logged a limited practice Wednesday to begin the week but still has yet to clear the protocol.

Dallas is outside of the playoff picture and has little room for error over the final four games. The Cowboys are battling to stay in the NFC East race and fans are hopeful their All-Pro wide receiver will be available this week.

Here's the latest on Lamb.

CeeDee Lamb injury update

Lamb remains in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Wednesday, Dec. 10. It is unclear how much time he might miss, if any.

Lamb was quickly ruled out with a concussion after hitting his head on the turf in the Cowboys' Week 14 "Thursday Night Football" game in Detroit.

On Wednesday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer provided an update on Lamb.

“CeeDee is progressing nicely through the process, the protocol,” Schottenheimer said. “He has two more things he’s gotta get done, but I feel good about that.”

Lamb will have two more chances to practice fully this week before the Cowboys likely tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings.

It has typically been a challenge for players to return the following week after suffering a concussion, but Lamb is benefiting from the extended rest because Dallas played last Thursday. He appears to be trending towards playing this week.

What is the NFL's concussion protocol?

The NFL's concussion protocol is designed to ensure a player's safety after suffering a head injury. It's a five-step process that a player must complete before they can return to play. Those steps are, as defined by the NFL:

  1. Symptom-limited activity
  2. Aerobic exercise
  3. Football-specific exercise
  4. Club-based non-contact training drills
  5. Full football activity/clearance

Before a player enters the protocol, they are evaluated on the sideline. The tests are conducted by the team's physician and an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. The evaluation includes observing any "no-go" symptoms, which are things like loss of consciousness, confusion, amnesia, and more, in addition to a history of concussions, other signs/symptoms, and video review.

At that point, a neurological exam is conducted and the player is escorted to the locker room if the sideline evaluation leaves any doubt.

Cowboys WR depth chart

Here's a look at the Cowboys' WR depth chart:

  1. CeeDee Lamb (injured)
  2. George Pickens
  3. Ryan Flournoy
  4. KaVontae Turpin
  5. Jonathan Mingo

Dallas played three games this season without Lamb after he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4. The star missed Weeks 4-6, and Pickens emerged as a significant weapon.

Flournoy and Turpin have each been effective in their roles, while Mingo is a depth piece. Flournoy has flashed at times and even produced a massive 115 yards on nine catches in Week 14 after Lamb exited the game.

Jalen Tolbert has fallen out of the rotation and was a healthy inactive for "Thursday Night Football" in Detroit last week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CeeDee Lamb injury update: Cowboys WR in concussion protocol

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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