The Dallas Cowboys made a tough call this week, officially ending CeeDee Lamb’s season with two games still left to play. The wide receiver, who’s been dealing with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder since a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on November 3, has been fighting through the injury every week. Unfortunately, the latest scans revealed that the injury had worsened, prompting the Cowboys to sit their No. 1 wide receiver for the rest of the year. With the playoffs now out of reach for the Cowboys, the decision to shut him down for the remainder of the season was made in the best interest of Lamb's long-term health.
While it's a disappointing end to what’s been a standout season for Lamb, the good news is that surgery won’t be necessary. According to the team, he’s expected to make a full recovery through a combination of treatment and rehabilitation. Despite missing the last two games, Lamb’s season remains one for the books, with impressive stats and a legacy that Cowboys fans won’t soon forget.
Lamb’s injury marks the fifth significant blow to the Cowboys’ roster this season. Along with Lamb, four other Pro Bowl-caliber players have seen their seasons cut short due to injury. Quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a hamstring injury, right guard Zack Martin has been sidelined with an ankle injury, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is nursing a foot injury, and cornerback Trevon Diggs is recovering from a knee injury. These injuries have been tough for the Cowboys, but it also speaks to the depth of the team that they've managed to remain competitive despite losing so many key players.
Adding to the list of injuries, cornerback DaRon Bland, another Pro Bowler, spent the first ten games of the season on injured reserve after undergoing foot surgery. Though he made his return on November 24, it’s been a challenging year for the Cowboys' defense, with several stars missing significant time. On the defensive side of the ball, pass rusher Micah Parsons also dealt with an ankle sprain, though he avoided being placed on injured reserve.
Lamb’s early shutdown, however, hits hard. After signing a four-year, $136 million extension in August, which made him the second-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL (just behind Justin Jefferson), expectations for Lamb were sky-high. And he lived up to them. Lamb finished the season with 101 receptions, ranking second in the entire league, and accumulated 1,194 receiving yards, good for third in the NFL. These stats are particularly impressive when you consider he spent the last seven games catching passes from backup quarterback Cooper Rush after Prescott’s injury.
What makes Lamb’s season even more remarkable is his ability to perform regardless of who’s under center. Despite the Cowboys’ quarterback carousel, with Andy Dalton, Dak Prescott, and Cooper Rush all taking snaps, Lamb’s production never dipped. In fact, he has proven time and again that he’s “QB-proof,” as linebacker Micah Parsons pointed out. Lamb has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards with each of these quarterbacks, showcasing his undeniable skill and ability to get open no matter who’s throwing the ball.
This season, Lamb reached new heights, becoming just the third player in NFL history to register 100 receptions in three of his first five seasons, joining the ranks of Michael Thomas and Brandon Marshall. With 496 career receptions in his first five seasons, Lamb is second only to Thomas, who holds the record with 510 catches. Lamb’s consistency and reliability have made him one of the premier wide receivers in the league, earning him recognition and respect from teammates, coaches, and analysts alike.
Lamb’s leadership and competitive spirit were on full display in the weeks leading up to his shutdown. He was coming off back-to-back 100-yard performances against the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with both games showcasing his ability to take over a game early. In fact, he recorded 100 yards in the first half of both contests, proving that he’s capable of taking control from the get-go. Unfortunately, a 52-yard reception in the second quarter against the Buccaneers, during which he landed hard on his shoulder, limited his snaps for the rest of the game. It was a clear sign that the injury had become too much to overcome, and the Cowboys made the decision to shut him down before things got worse.
With Lamb out, the Cowboys will now need to rely on Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert to fill the void at wide receiver. While it’s never easy to replace a player of Lamb’s caliber, the Cowboys do have some depth in their receiver room. Jonathan Mingo, Ryan Flournoy, and Jalen Brooks are all on the 53-man roster, and the Cowboys may elevate Jalen Moreno-Cropper or Kelvin Harmon from the practice squad to add more options to the mix. The team will need to adjust their game plan to account for Lamb’s absence, but with Cooks, Tolbert, and the rest of the receiving corps, the Cowboys still have the talent to remain competitive.
Asked about Lamb’s absence, Cooper Rush acknowledged just how difficult it will be to replace such a dynamic playmaker. “Obviously his production. You can speak on that. It's hard to replace that much production,” Rush said. “There’s guys ready. We’ve got guys. We’ve got a very deep receiver room. A bunch of smart dudes, who are champing at the bit to go play.” It’s clear that while Lamb will be missed, the Cowboys have confidence in the next man up.
On the defensive side of the ball, Micah Parsons also spoke highly of Lamb’s impact on the team. “I think for CeeDee, what’s so impressive is he might be the best player I’ve seen with my own eyes,” Parsons said in the locker room. “Man, he just loves the game of football. Like I don’t think anybody should ever question how much CeeDee brings to the team. He’s QB-proof. I’ve seen him get 1,000 [yards] with Andy Dalton. I’ve seen him get 1,000 with Dak Prescott. I’ve seen him get 1,000 with Cooper Rush. You give grace to all these other wide receivers and say, ‘Oh, they’re not producing because they don’t got their quarterback,’ but CeeDee showing time and time again he can do it with anyone throwing him the rock. He can find a way to get open. He’s competitive. He’s a dawg. Like when it comes to what’s going to fight through, man, I just don’t think he’s comparable. That’s why I think he’s the best.”
Parsons’ words speak to Lamb’s unparalleled work ethic and mentality. While injuries may have derailed the Cowboys’ season, they’ve also allowed Lamb to showcase his resilience and ability to rise above adversity. As Lamb takes time to recover, Cowboys fans can rest assured knowing that their No. 1 wide receiver is poised to return stronger than ever, ready to continue dominating when the next season rolls around. Until then, his legacy as one of the league’s top playmakers is secure.
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