CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were the subject of an unexpected spectacle during this week’s edition of “Monday Night Football.”
The Dallas Cowboys faced on “MNF” against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Dallas started the game with the ball, but curiously, neither Lamb nor Pickens was on the field for the entire opening drive.
The ESPN broadcast noted that the absences were the result of a “coach’s decision” by the Cowboys. Dallas ended up going three-and-out on the drive, and Lamb and Pickens were both back on the field for the Cowboys’ second possession of the game later that quarter (though not at the same time).George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb watched the first drive from the sidelines pic.twitter.com/5biuaK5jYa
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It seems very likely that the first-drive benchings were a form of discipline for Lamb and Pickens. Since there is no good rationale for sitting your two top wide receivers for an entire drive, some light disciplinary action appeared to be the most plausible explanation there.
The four-time Pro Bowler Lamb, who has been with the Cowboys for his entire NFL career, does not really have a history of being problematic for the team. He did express some frustration with his role in past years but otherwise doesn’t have a track record of discipline.
Meanwhile, Pickens, who is in his first season in Dallas, is a bit more mercurial. He caused a lot of problems behind the scenes for his previous NFL team the Pittsburgh Steelers but had seemingly been on his best behavior with the Cowboys up to this point.
