With little to play for except pride, now seemed like the right time for the Dallas Cowboys to shut down wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Per ESPN, on Thursday, the Cowboys announced that Lamb (right shoulder) will not play in the team’s last two games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. He isn’t expected to undergo surgery.
Lamb sprained his shoulder in a 27-21 Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3. He hasn’t missed any games since suffering the injury, but it’s bothering him.
In Week 16, he seemed to aggravate his shoulder during the third quarter of a 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although he finished with seven receptions for 105 yards, he told the media his shoulder was “out of whack.”
“I’m not even going to lie to you. I’m just out there battling and doing what I do,” Lamb said. “So, yeah, bro, it’s not fun.”
The Cowboys (7-8) have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Continuing to put Lamb at risk would make little sense for the club.
Lamb signed a four-year, $136M contract extension this past offseason, becoming the second-highest-paid WR in the league behind Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson.
Lamb — a three-time Pro Bowler — showed why he deserved the deal. In 15 games, he finished with 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdown catches. It marks the fourth time he has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in five seasons.
Keep in mind Cowboys starting QB Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9, and backup Cooper Rush has since replaced him.
“He might be the best player I’ve seen with my own eyes,” Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons said Thursday, per The Sporting News. “He can do it with anyone throwing him the rock.”
Dallas hopes sitting the wideout will help him heal faster. The Cowboys need a healthy Lamb to rebound in 2025.