The Cowboys were on the field for the first drive of a 33-16 win over the Raiders, but CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were not.
The pair were benched in what was described as a coach’s decision.
The two receivers had “a couple things missed” in the lead-up to the “Monday Night Football” matchup, which contributed to their benching, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters after the game.
Schottemheimer did not elaborate further.
During the broadcast, ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported that a team spokesperson indicated it was not injury-related.
“I was just told by Cowboys PR the reason CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were not out on the field—it was not an injury-related situation; it was strictly a coach’s decision,” Salters said on air. “I asked was it punishment of some sort? And I was told, ‘You’ll have to address that with coach; all we can tell you is it was not injury-related, it was strictly a coach’s decision.’”
Lamb and Pickens were back on the field for Dallas’ second series, with Lamb coming back in for the first play and Pickens returning on the second play.
Whatever led to the benching it didn’t seem to carry over much afterward, as the broadcast later showed the three sharing a fun moment.
Schottenheimer went over to the three and hugged them, with Pickens and Lamb smiling and laughing, after they scored a touchdown.
Pickens finished the night with a team-leading nine catches and 144 yards while also scoring a touchdown.
Lamb had five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys, who improved to 4-3-1, played with heavy hearts in their first game since teammate Marshawn Kneeland took his own life on Nov. 6.
