CeeDee Lamb injury update: Mike McCarthy details decision to bench Cowboys WR

The Dallas Cowboys (7-8) have ruled out receiver CeeDee Lamb for the final two games of the 2024 season with the sprained AC joint in his shoulder he has dealt with since Week 9.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that the decision to sit Lamb came down to the high risk of playing him.

“CeeDee, obviously we all know what he means to our football team. He’s been playing with this shoulder [injury] for some time. When they had the scans and examination it was just clearly worse than it’s been. The risk is too high to play this week,” McCarthy said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “Even if we were in Week 3, this would probably be the same decision. It’s important for him to shut it down and start rehabbing.”

Lamb, 25, is not expected to need surgery and should make a full recovery through a “process of treatment and rehabilitation.” He is the fifth Cowboy Pro Bowler to have his season ended early due to injury, joining quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring), right guard Zack Martin (ankle), defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee).

That’s contributed to Dallas’ underwhelming season, as the Cowboys will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The injury, however, never affected Lamb’s play, nor did catching passes from Cooper Rush after Prescott’s season-ending injury. Lamb hauled in 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns this season, currently the league’s No. 3 leading receiver.

CeeDee Lamb expected back healthy for 2025 season

Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million extension in August, garnered high praise from teammate and linebacker Micah Parsons on Thursday.

“I think for CeeDee, what’s so impressive is he might be the best player I’ve seen with my own eyes,” Parsons said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “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 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.”