Reports: Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb expected to hold out

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb isn't expected to join his teammates at the start of training camp, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday night. The Cowboys begin camp on Wednesday and have their first practice set for Thursday, but Lamb did not fly out of Dallas to Oxnard, Calif., with the team on Tuesday, per the reports. The star wideout is in line to make $17.99 million this season but will then become an unrestricted free agent. Lamb has been seeking a contract extension from the Cowboys but hasn't received one, leading the current holdout. Back in June, Lamb was absent from Dallas' mandatory minicamp, costing him about $100,000 in fines. Those penalties could be nullified by the Cowboys, though, unlike the daily fine of $50,000 that Lamb would be hit with should he chose to skip training camp. Lamb, 25, is coming off the best season of his four-year career, hauling in 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns -- all career bests. He led the NFL in catches in 2023, with Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown trailing close behind with 119 receptions apiece. In his four seasons with Dallas, Lamb has amassed 395 catches for 5,145 yards and 32 TDs. "I mean, he's a huge part of everything we do, for sure," Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith said of Lamb, according to ESPN. "His presence obviously will be missed, but while he's handling things he has to handle, we have to handle business as well." --Field Level Media