One Dallas Cowboys player who had sought a new contract before the start of this season will not show up to training camp.
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a league-leading 135 receptions for a career-high 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, will not be available at the start of camp, according to multiple reports.
NFL Network reported that Lamb and the Cowboys had tried to come to an agreement before camp began but were unable to find common ground.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Dallas Cowboys player CeeDee Lamb (No. 88) reacts after a first down in the fourth quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Instead, Lamb will be officially suspended and will be fined for the period of his suspension until a new contract is reached.
As it stands, Lamb is set to play out his fifth-year option worth $17.99 million.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who was selected a few picks after Lamb in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, was recognized for his stellar performance with a league-leading $140 million contract extension that will pay him $35 million per year over the next five years.
Cowboys executive Stephen Jones discusses NFL potentially adding 18th game to schedule
Lamb has been impressive since signing with the Cowboys with the 17th overall pick, with the Oklahoma native having at least 1,102 rushing yards since 2021.
And Lamb likely understands where the Cowboys are heading into the 2024 season, with quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy both in the final years of their contracts.
Second, Lamb is the clear top option on the field, especially since the Cowboys didn’t make many improvements this offseason other than bringing back Zeke Elliott as their starting running back. Lamb will still be joined at receiver by Brandin Cooks and Jarent Tolbert, and Jake Ferguson will return at tight end.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) catches a pass and scores a touchdown during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
If the Cowboys want to end their streak without a Super Bowl appearance, Lamb will be a key offensive weapon to help them do so this season and in seasons to come.
That type of leverage is powerful, as Lamb clearly knows his value and isn’t going to settle for whatever the Cowboys have already offered him.
As ESPN’s Ed Warder noted, the Cowboys have dealt with holdouts in the past, with Elliott being one of them in 2019, when he eventually became the NFL’s highest-paid running back.
And last year, offensive guard Zack Martin didn’t show up to training camp until he was the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys player CeeDee Lamb (No. 88) watches before kickoff during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Lamb was second in the league in receiving yards last season, just 50 behind Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill, who makes $30 million a year, but is willing to accept any fine as his teammates begin training camp without him on the field.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
