During Sunday’s 19-3 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys offense was unable to get any momentum.
Their problems at wide receiver were evident even before Dak Prescott was injured and left the game. The whole group received 125 yards combined, with only 29 coming from CeeDee Lamb, despite being targeted 11 times.
When Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones was asked if the current position was “good enough”, Jones stressed the importance to Lamb.
“I think we’ve certainly got to step up and do better. The passing game goes hand and hand between the quarterback and the receivers,” Jones said. “We’ve got to be better there. CeeDee has got to improve and work his way into being the No. 1 receiver.”
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After trading Amari Cooper to Cleveland Browns, the Cowboys placed their trust in Lamb as their unquestioned top-wideout. With James Washington and Michael Gallup out, the 23-year old was under more pressure than ever to perform in this season.
Cowboys fans may instead blame Jones and the Front Office for getting rid Cooper. It was a salary dump that did not adequately address his loss. Noah Brown, a former seventh-round pick, led the team with 68 receiving yard Sunday night.
Lamb will continue to play for Dallas without Prescott, as well as the expectation of him carrying the receiving corp. He will likely need surgery to his right thumb, which could leave him out of action for six to eight weeks.
Lamb will therefore try to live up to Jones’ expectations, while also catching passes from Cooper Rush. Rush was the Cowboys’ last Halloween victory and Rush had 112 receiving yards.