FRISCO, Texas — Rookie minicamp is now concluded and veteran players have reported for the Dallas Cowboys in the first week of conjoined voluntary workouts, but CeeDee Lamb remains absent at this time. Mandatory minicamp is set for June 4-6, and that will be the first true marker in weighing his offseason status amid contract negotiations, though.
For his part, the All-Pro and record-setting wide receiver stated his intent to be on the field in 2024, in an early April conversation with TMZ Sports.
"Winning — I'm looking forward to winning and being out there with my guys, and making another run at this thing," he said, emphatically. "… Yeah, I'll be in Dallas!"
Training camp is set to begin in late July, and the Cowboys have recently become masters of landing the deal in Oxnard, e.g., Terence Steele, Trevon Diggs, Malik Hooker and, ultimately, a reworking of Zack Martin's contract last summer. It's possible the same occurs with Lamb this summer, though time will tell.
One thing that neither side is concerned about, however, is the condition in which Lamb will be in when he does suit up this year.
On May 14, a photographer chronicling Lamb's offseason conditioning provided proof of the work being put in away from the Cowboys' facility.
"[The absence] doesn't matter right now," said offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer ahead of the start of voluntary OTAs. "CeeDee's a pro. He's going to know what to do. I know Dak and the guys have some communication with him.
"We know he's taking care of business, and when he gets back here, we'll certainly be able to find ways to get him the ball."
Speaking of Prescott, the All-Pro quarterback addressed the situation at the 2024 Reliant Home Run Derby in early May, carrying the same energy as Schottenheimer's eventual response.
"We're roommates all of July, so if that's the case, that'll be fine," he said. "No worries. I know what he's doing. I know how he's preparing.
"… All confidence in the way he's preparing and how he's doing."
It's a sentiment carried by everyone who knows Lamb.
"That guy is one of the hardest working guys that I've ever been around," said wide receivers' coach Robert Prince. "We know that even though he's not here, and we'd love for him to be here, he's putting in his work and he's getting ready."
Lamb had one of the most explosive seasons in both franchise and league history in 2023, finishing with career highs in receiving yards (1,749), receiving touchdowns (12), rushing yards (113) and rushing touchdowns (2) — the most valuable piece of the Cowboys' offense.
In the span of that campaign, he also reeled in at least 10 catches for more than 150 yards in three consecutive games, a feat never before seen in the NFL, and his 13-catch, 227-yard detonation against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 broke the single-game receptions and receiving yards record that was long held by Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin.
The club exercised his fifth-year option that fully guarantees him just under $18 million in 2024, assuming a new deal isn't in place before things get underway on Sept. 8 against the Browns in Cleveland — where Lamb is scheduled to try and outplay his former mentor, Amari Cooper.
There is a lot of time between now and then and, as such, plenty of opportunity for the Cowboys and arguably the league's best wideout to get things ironed out.
