Cowboys fans baffled by CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens benching

The Dallas Cowboys opened up their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football in a three-receiver set.

That's not uncommon for them, but the receivers they employed were odd. Dallas had Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin as their starting receivers.

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Notably absent were CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, their two superstar wideouts. During the broadcast, Lisa Salters said it was a "coach's decision." When she pressed for more information, she was told, "You'll have to address that with coach."

Fans baffled by CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens absence from Cowboys' starting lineup

This was clearly a shock, and had fans wondering what the deal was. Since it wasn't injury related, wheels were spinning that this was a disciplinary action.

Wild: Both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were benched for the team’s first offensive possession due to coach’s decision.

It WASN’T injury related. 👀 pic.twitter.com/nQj0J07aGI
— JPA (@jasrifootball) November 18, 2025

The result of the first drive was a three-and-out for the Cowboys.

Coach's Decision: CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were not on the field for the 1st drive of the game.

Cowboys go 3-and-out. pic.twitter.com/n2knQX2nPZ
— Underdog (@Underdog) November 18, 2025

That had one fan saying head coach Brian Schottenheimer sent the wrong message.

The only message Schottenheimer sent was that the Cowboys can’t move the football without CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens #MondayNightFootball
— rj grizzle (@rjgrizzle) November 18, 2025

Others felt like this wasn't the right time for Schottenheimer to make a statement, calling the decision to sit the star players "insane."

WTF are the Cowboys doing?!

Gameday is not the time to make an example or hash out any moral or disciplinary issues

Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens not playing first drive is insane
— NeverMadeJB (@NeverMadeJB) November 18, 2025

Some even felt anger about the decision.

After a long day of work I turn on the Cowboys game excited to see Lamb and Pickens but I see Jalen Tolbert and Ryan Flournoy pic.twitter.com/YQwxdL6t5k
— Kenny Fenton (@KennyFenton8) November 18, 2025

Then again, FanDuel might have enjoyed it, especially if anyone had a first-drive touchdown for either player.

FanDuel after seeing CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens not on the field for the Cowboys on the first drive
pic.twitter.com/qex5qhhKCx
— Burch (@braden_burcham_) November 18, 2025

The Cowboys had both players on the field for the second series, which wasn't any better. That one ended with a sack and fumble for Dak Prescott.

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