Tag: Las Vegas Raiders vs Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys to be without top receivers CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper vs Raiders

Cowboys to be without top receivers CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper vs Raiders

In a stroke of bad luck, the Cowboys suddenly find themselves without both of their top receivers for their Thanksgiving game against the Raiders today.

Second-year former top pick receiver CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion in the Cowboys’ game against the Chiefs last Sunday and came into the short week in the concussion protocol. Multiple reports say Lamb did not pass the final test this morning which means he will not play today.

Already set to miss the game was Amari Cooper, who was unvaccinated and tested positive for COVID-19. Per NFL protocol, that means he is out at least ten days, causing him to miss last Sunday vs the Chiefs and today’s game against his former team.

Lamb and Cooper are the team’s top two receivers. Lamb leads the team with 740 yards and Cooper is tied with Lamb for the team lead in catches (44) and second in yards (583). They were also one and two in receiving touchdowns with six and five touchdowns respectively.

In their absence, Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson figure to get the start. The two stepped up last week with Cooper out and Lamb leaving halfway through.

Gallup in particular is an accomplished receiver who averaged 975 yards over the past two seasons in 27 starts. He had been injured much of this season up until the past three weeks. He has 12 catches over the past three weeks including five catches for 44 yards last week.

Raiders, Cowboys final injury report: Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith returns

Raiders, Cowboys final injury report: Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith returns

This week the Cowboys get some fantastic news; the return of Tyron Smith. The Pro Bowl left tackle has been out the past three weeks with an ankle injury. He returned to practice this week and as of today has been removed from the injury report altogether, signaling he will play against the Raiders on Thanksgiving Day.

The 31-year-old Smith has been to seven Pro Bowls and been named an All Pro thrice in his first ten NFL seasons. So, obviously his return is a huge deal for the Cowboys.

Dallas had gone 6-1 in their first seven games with Smith at left tackle. They have gone 1-2 the past three without him.

The Cowboys got some more potential good news today with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb taking the practice field. He had been missing practice in the concussion protocol, putting his status very much in doubt on a short week.

Lamb is officially questionable for the game, and the Cowboys will need him especially with Amari Cooper set to miss the game due to being on the reserve/COVI-19 list and not being vaccinated. They also have Michael Gallup who is as very capable starter.

Raiders, Cowboys injury report: WR CeeDee Lamb still missing practice in concussion protocol

Raiders, Cowboys injury report: WR CeeDee Lamb still missing practice in concussion protocol

A short week is a tough time to get a concussion. It’s rarely enough time for a player to get through the league’s concussion protocol and play. That’s what Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb is going through now.

Lamb left the Cowboys’ game against the Chiefs last Sunday; a game they went on to lose.

Also missing for the Cowboys was safety Donovan Wilson (shoulder/chest).

Missing for the Raiders was LB Nick Kwiatkoski (ankle) and CB Keisean Nixon (ankle). G John Simpson (ribs) was limited in his return to practice. Also limited was RB Jalen Richard.

Simpson left last Sunday’s game against the Bengals and didn’t return. He was replaced at left guard by Jordan Simmons. Richard missed the game altogether and was replaced in the lineup for Peyton Barber.

Cowboys WR Amari Cooper out next two weeks on reserve/COVID list vs Chiefs, Raiders

Cowboys WR Amari Cooper out next two weeks on reserve/COVID list vs Chiefs, Raiders

Two games that were no doubt circled on this year’s schedule by former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden were the Bears game in week five and the game against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Those were the weeks Gruden was to face the two big name former top picks he traded away.

Week five, Gruden and the Raiders lost to Khalil Mack and the Bears in what would be Gruden’s final game as head coach before his forced resignation. That ensured Gruden wouldn’t be facing off against Amari Cooper and the Cowboys. But as of today, his former team will also not be facing ‘Coop’.

Today the four-time Pro Bowl receiver was placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list. If he were vaccinated, that designation likely wouldn’t cost him any more than the Cowboys’ game against the Chiefs this Sunday. But he’s not vaccinated, which means not only will Coop miss the Chiefs game, he’ll also miss the next game against the Raiders on a short week, due to the NFL’s 10-day quarantine mandate.

Coop has averaged over 1100 yards and seven touchdowns the past three seasons and was on pace to do it again, with 583 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. He won’t be on pace for that anymore after two weeks out.

This would’ve been Cooper’s first game against his former team. He would undoubtedly love to have been able to show up big time against them. But decisions have their consequences. In this case, Coop decided not to get vaccinated against a deadly virus so…(sad trombone).