'CeeDee, You're Missed!' Jerry Issues Awkward Apology to Lamb

It was awkward on Thursday when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones claimed he felt no "urgency'' in getting a contract extension done with All-Pro holdout CeeDee Lamb.

And on Sunday when he sort of apologized, backtracked and explained?

That was awkward, too.

"I think I got in trouble the other day when I said, 'Look, we're not urgent about CeeDee,'" Jones said in a pregame interview before Sunday's 13-12 preseason loss at the Rams. ""Now I understand completely the angst that's happening when you're anxious about and someone says anything about whether you're missed or not.

"Well, CeeDee, you're missed, OK?"

But of course, Jones didn't leave it at that. He attempted to redefine his intent with his incendiary remark at camp in Oxnard - "I don't have a sense of urgency about getting it done,'' he'd said - by pretending the comment had something to do with Lamb not needing to play a relatively meaningless exhibition against the Rams.

Spun Jones: "Well, no one appreciates CeeDee being on the field any more than I do. But let me say this: He wouldn't be taking a snap out here today if he'd been here for (camp) ...

"You gotta use your head when you expose key players. ... We know exactly what CeeDee can do ... So we wouldn't have him out here. It has really not anything to do with his contract."

The Cowboys, Jones and Lamb will all survive this silliness - even as it appears unhappiness is at a high with an "lol" reaction from Lamb being posted on social media following the Thursday talk.

Why did Jerry even say that "troublesome'' thing in the first place?

Related: 'I Don't Know Why I Said It!' Jerry Jones Reacts to CeeDee Controversy

Why?"I don't know why I said it," Jones said as part of his Thursday word salad. "I don't know. I don't have a sense of urgency about getting it done. Put any reason you want. I was (partying) at Nobu two days ago. Give that as the reason. Whatever you want to put out there."

The Cowboys have been in talks with Lamb regarding an extension that would make him among the highest-paid non-QBs in NFL history. COO Stephen Jones continues to speak confidently about a deal getting done, insisting there is "zero, zero, zero'' chance of Lamb being traded.

Lamb was never going to play in the preseason. The Cowboys, though, open the regular season Sept. 8 at the Cleveland Browns and the two sides figure to come together so he can play then.

And if not? CeeDee Lamb will be very, very "missed.''