Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were benched for the team’s opening drive of Monday’s road game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and the former shed some light on the situation Thursday.
Lamb said he and Pickens missed curfew prior to the game because they were having dinner and a handful of drinks, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. However, the star wide receiver made it clear he did not throw up at the casino, adding it is disrespectful to suggest as much.
Both receivers entered the game after the temporary benching and spearheaded the offensive attack.
Pickens finished with nine catches for 144 yards and a touchdown, while Lamb posted five catches for 66 yards and a score. Dak Prescott also threw touchdown passes to Jake Ferguson and Ryan Flournoy.
“You look at the energy those guys play with, they literally jump-started the offense when they got back in there,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters after the 33-16 win. “They didn’t hang their heads. They didn’t do any of that stuff. And that’s why I love those guys, man.”
Lamb was more forthcoming Thursday about what happened since he told reporters after the game, “I’m not going in depth on that,” when asked about the benching. “Honestly, I’m not. I’m sorry, I’m not.”
Fortunately for Dallas, the game was never in doubt.
The visitors exploded for 21 points in the second quarter to take a commanding lead as both star receivers found the end zone and then kept the Raiders out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. The Cowboys defense even notched a safety during the blowout.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and improved Dallas’ overall record to 4-5-1. It still has some work to do to get back into the playoff race, and the upcoming three-game stretch against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions could make or break the season.
It will need Lamb at his best against those top teams if it is going to string together some wins and get back above .500.