The Dallas Cowboys return to action on Sunday, having improved to 7-8 with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Week 17 holds no promise, though, as Dallas was eliminated from the playoff race before they even took the field last week.
As such, the paradigm had shifted on the goal over the final two games of the season. When the schedule was created, most observers envisioned this matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles would be for the NFC East lead. Instead the Cowboys are looking up to both Philly and Washington, with no chance to catch either.
And finally having to admit defeat on the season, the questions about injured players toughing it out have to be reconsidered, including No. 1 receiver, CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb’s shoulder injury has impacted his availability since he suffered it against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. With Dallas now playing out the string, the team has decided to shut him down and move him to the Reserved/Injured list.
His season ends with 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six scores. This moves Brandin Cooks to the top tier among Cowboys receivers and will likely give rookie Ryan Flournoy and young veteran Jonathan Mingo more opportunities.
In between those two levels sits Kavontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert.