NFL spoils two Cowboys players' mini bye week with some news they didn't want to hear

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and safety Markquese Bell just had their mini bye weeks spoiled by the NFL with some unfortunate financial news we all saw coming: Both are being fined for penalties committed back in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens.

For Lamb, who likely cares much less about this than Bell having recently become the second-highest paid wide receiver in NFL history, the fine comes after an unnecessary roughness call for use of the helmet. He'll be fined $22,511. It's one of the most expensive fines the league imposes, and a second offense would cost the Cowboys star $45,020.

Lamb had a frustrating Week 3 before bouncing back with a strong performance earlier this week.

As for Bell, the cost was lower despite the fine being listed within the same category, as he is being fined for only $5,500.*

*Quick math just for fun: Lamb's fine equals 0.1% of the cash he's due in 2024. Bell's fine represents 0.7%.

Every Saturday, the NFL is announcing its league-wide fines and amounts for penalties committed the previous week. For example, chances are Lamb will be paying yet another fine next weekend after being called for taunting against the New York Giants on this week's Thursday Night Football.

By the way, Cowboys WR2 Brandin Cooks might've gotten lucky this time, as he was called for an egregious offensive pass interference against the Ravens that he pulled off to avoid an interception on fourth and fourteen. Since it was called as OPI and not unnecessary roughness, it appears the veteran wide receiver avoided the punishment of the league office.

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