On Week 11’s edition of Monday Night Football, the Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) suited up to take on the Las Vegas Raiders (2-7).
However, the Cowboys started the game without CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Neither receiver took to the field until the second drive. The Cowboys’ PR shared information about the decision to Lisa Salters on the broadcast; this decision was made at the discretion of Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer. It is unclear whether it was disciplinary, but it appears that it has since been confirmed as such.
NFL Insider Sheds Light on CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens’ Benching
It appears the decision to hold off on Lamb and Pickens in the opening drive was due to a matter of attendance. NFL insider Nick Harris posted this information through his X account.
“It was a coach’s decision to have Cowboys WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens miss the first series. It was not injury-related. As it was communicated to me, ‘they missed some things,'” Harris wrote.
It was a coach’s decision to have Cowboys WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens miss the first series. It was not injury related. As it was communicated to me, “they missed some things.”
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) November 18, 2025
Lamb and Pickens stood on the sideline, wearing their helmets. Both of them are regarded as the team’s top two wide receivers and saw playing time following the conclusion of the first series. To be more specific, both of them were on the field for the team’s second possession after a Raiders punt, following their start on the bench.
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“I was just told by Cowboys PR that the reason that CeeDaa Lamb and George Pickens were not out on the field was not an injury-related situation,” Salters said on the broadcast. “It was strictly a coach’s decision. I asked, was this punishment of some sort? And I was told you’ll have to address that with Coach. But all we can tell you is that it was not injury-related, it was strictly a coach’s decision.”
George Pickens mad at the coaching staff coming out of the game.
Alright then 👀 pic.twitter.com/0s6nsX1M22
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 18, 2025
Heading into Week 11, Lamb had 35 grabs for 491 yards and one score. On the other hand, Pickens had 49 catches for 764 yards and six touchdowns. The Cowboys’ offense is ranked fourth-best in the league according to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
During the game, the rumored reason behind Pickens and Lamb’s benching went viral on social media. According to Jordan Michael Tucker on X, the two Cowboys stars were out in Vegas last night after breaking the team curfew. They were caught on the lobby camera, resulting in disciplinary action from Schottenheimer.
However, the fans should wait until the Cowboys’ head coach officially reveals the real reason behind the decision after the game.
Unfortunately, Schottenheimer did not provide any specific details behind the decision. “Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said there were “a couple things missed” that led to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens not playing on the first series. Nothing beyond that,” wrote Jon Machota on X.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the evening as more information becomes available.
