FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have decided to rest CeeDee Lamb for the remaining two games of the season due to complications from a sprained right shoulder that has bothered the All-Pro receiver throughout the second half of the campaign.

On Thursday, the team announced that further examinations indicated sufficient damage that warrants keeping Lamb out of action for the upcoming game against Philadelphia, as well as the final home game against Washington. Fortunately, the medical staff does not anticipate that surgery will be necessary.

Dallas had already been eliminated from playoff contention just hours before their narrow 26-24 win against Tampa Bay last weekend.

The absence of Lamb also highlights the Cowboys’ struggles with injuries, as they will close out the regular season with at least five former Pro Bowl players on injured reserve. Quarterback Dak Prescott is among those, having played only eight games before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. Additionally, right guard Zack Martin, a seven-time All-Pro, decided to undergo season-ending ankle surgery after participating in just ten games.

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence hasn’t seen action since Week 4 due to a foot injury, while cornerback Trevon Diggs faced a series of injuries but managed to play 11 games before his season concluded with a knee injury.

Lamb sustained his shoulder injury after hitting the ground hard twice during a 27-21 loss to Atlanta on November 3. Despite the injury, he showcased his talent by achieving over 100 receiving yards in each of his last two games prior to being sidelined.

At just 25 years old, Lamb spent the offseason and preseason in a contract standoff. He concluded the 2023 season with career highs, achieving an NFL-best 135 receptions, a club-record 1,749 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. The contract dispute was resolved with a substantial four-year deal worth $136 million in late August; however, neither Lamb nor the Cowboys could replicate that level of success this year. This marks the first time since Lamb’s rookie year in 2020 that the Cowboys (7-8) will miss the playoffs.

He will finish the season with impressive statistics, totaling 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns.