CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, on the bench at the start of the game
In a decision by the coach, Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were substitutes in the first series of Monday night’s game, in the 33-16 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brian Schottenheimer, was the one who informed the players about this disciplinary measure on the same Monday.
“There were a few things that were overlooked, so I had a conversation with those guys and that was easy,” Schottenheimer said, without going into detail about what was overlooked. “But you see the energy those guys play with, they literally fueled the offense when they came back in. They didn’t hang their heads, they didn’t do any of that. That’s why I love those guys, man.”
Brian Schottenheimer
Lamb returned on the first play of the Cowboys’ second series; Pickens entered on the second play of that series.
Lamb finished with five receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Pickens tied his personal record with nine receptions and a total of 144 yards, along with a 37-yard touchdown from Dak Prescott.
When speaking with reporters after Monday’s game, Lamb did not want to discuss why he and Pickens were benched in the first series.
“I’m not going to elaborate on that,” Lamb said. “Honestly, I won’t. I’m sorry, I won’t.”
CeeDee LambPickens also did not want to give more details about what happened.
Following his touchdown reception in the second quarter, Pickens received a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct due to his celebration. Schottenheimer said Pickens can play on the edge, but the goal is not to cross the line.“You see the energy with which those guys play, they literally fueled the offense when they came back in,” said Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer. “They didn’t hang their heads, they didn’t do any of that. That’s why I love those guys, man.”“We share an arm around the shoulder a little bit,” Schottenheimer said. “But he’s a guy who’s fun to coach, man. And the energy you see on the field in the game is the way he approaches practice. And that’s what I love about him.”
Pickens leads the Cowboys in receptions with 58 receptions for 908 yards and seven touchdowns. Lamb has 40 receptions for 557 yards and two touchdowns, but missed three games due to a high ankle sprain.
“Two types of elite that complement each other, that feed off each other’s energy,” Prescott said. “One makes a play, the other wants to make a play. Tonight was fun. As I’ve always said, I’m just trying to get the ball out of my hands to these guys, be like a point guard and let them do what they do best. Tonight was a good example of that.”
