Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been ruled out for the final two games of the season, which is causing fantasy managers to go ballistic. They believe the Cowboys are in full tank mode to get a higher draft choice now that they have been eliminated from the postseason.
Cowboys Fans and Fantasy Managers Are Not Happy With Decision To Sit Lamb
Lamb, the Cowboys’ leading and highest-paid receiver, will miss the final two games with a shoulder injury. He probably could have played through it, but there is no reason to risk his long-term health based upon the fact the ‘Boys are no longer in the hunt for the playoffs.
Wow with that contract you should play each game
— John(JWN) (@JWN7113) December 26, 2024
Lamb leads the Cowboys in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,194) and receiving touchdowns (six).
The fact that his season is over isn’t sitting well among some Cowboys fans and fantasy managers who have Lamb on their roster.
The fantasy playoffs are in full swing and most leagues are in their championship round. Lamb is on 17.8% of teams in the fantasy championship, according to Yahoo.
“The tank is in full effect,” one fan wrote.
The tank is in full effect
— Nik Atanackovic (@Nik_Atanackovic) December 26, 2024
Others brought up the lucrative payday that Lamb received earlier this year.
Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million deal with the Cowboys in August, which made him the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
“Wow with that contract you should play each game,” another fan said on social media.
Wow with that contract you should play each game
— John(JWN) (@JWN7113) December 26, 2024
Due to Christmas Day games, the fantasy week is already underway, so the timing of this news makes it even more frustrating for fantasy managers.
“Bro it’s championship week”, said one frustrated fantasy manager.
Bro it’s championship week
— Bob Lewis (@LewBob69_) December 26, 2024
Another fantasy manager said: “Made it to my Fantasy championship in 2 different leagues just to lose Hurts, AK, Kenneth Walker, and now Ceedee. GGs lmao.”
Made it to my Fantasy championship in 2 different leagues just to lose Hurts, AK, Kenneth Walker, and now Ceedee. GGs lmao
— 👑 (@kingjackwrld_) December 26, 2024
The Cowboys said that additional exams on Lamb’s shoulder showed the receiver’s injury progressed to a point where they felt he needed to sit for the rest of the season. However, he will not require surgery.
Among qualified receivers, Lamb ranked third in expected PPR points per game this season while assuming the fifth-highest on-field target share.
We’ve seen many pass games be grounded of late and Lamb is no exception, as his aDOT has declined in three straight seasons (10.9 – 10.5 – 10.1 – 8.3). That, however, didn’t stop Lamb from posting his fourth 1,100-yard season.
He doesn’t turn 26 until April, yet he already sits alone on the Cowboys’ all-time list in 1,100-yard seasons (Michael Irvin: 6).
Lamb will end with the fifth-most receiving yards through a player’s first five seasons in NFL history (6,339). He currently has the second-most receptions (496) through five seasons, but he’ll likely finish third since Minnesota Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson is close behind him at 484.