Will CeeDee Lamb play in Week 1? What we know about status of Cowboys star after holdout, roster exemption

David Suggs

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Will CeeDee Lamb play in Week 1? What we know about status of Cowboys star after holdout, roster exemption image

CeeDee Lamb finally got his just rewards after earning All-Pro honors in 2023.

The Cowboys' star wideout inked a mammoth four-year, $136 million contract extension Monday with America's Team, bringing a close to a protracted struggle between the 25-year old supernova and his employer.

After securing Lamb's future with the franchise, the Dallas front office can breath a sigh of relief. But there's still some of uncertainty regarding Lamb's more immediate future after his holdout.

Lamb failed to report to training camp and did not take the field at any point this preseason prior to agreeing his new deal. As such, he faces quite the ramp-up in physical activity if he wants to participate in the Cowboys' Week 1 clash with the Browns.

Here's the latest on Lamb's status as Dallas prepares for its regular-season debut in the 2024 NFL season.

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Will CeeDee Lamb play in Week 1?

Lamb is aiming to take part in Dallas' Week 1 clash with Cleveland, but the NFL has granted the Cowboys and their star receiver some wiggle room, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday.

Lamb was granted a two-game roster exemption and subsequently placed on the commissioner's exempt list. That means the Oklahoma product isn't a member of the 53-man roster just yet, though he will be allowed to practice freely with the team as he works his way up to speed.

For Dallas, the decision to place Lamb on the exempt list works a treat. At any point from now through the first two weeks of the season, Lamb can be activated and take someone else's roster spot — so he doesn't need to rush back, even if both he and his team would prefer see him on the field for Week 1.

The player Lamb will likely replace on the roster is OT Chuma Edoga, per ESPN's Todd Archer. The 27-year old guard is expected to miss a month with a toe injury. Theoretically, he can be placed on injured reserve and replaced with Lamb whenever Dallas sees fit before the season opener.

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Despite the flexibility offered by the NFL's two-game roster exemption, all signs seem to point towards Lamb playing a prominent role in the Cowboys' season opener. He said so himself, proclaiming that he'll be ready to offer up his services for 60-plus plays at Cleveland while speaking with reporters at team headquarters Tuesday.

At present, Lamb is only participating in individual drills. But he's expected to ramp up his activity over the next few days as Dallas' training staff tries to get Lamb into regular-season shape.

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CeeDee Lamb contract details

Lamb agreed to a four-year extension with the Cowboys worth up to $136 million overall. The deal makes Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history behind only Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson (four years, $140 million).

Lamb will receive $100 million in guarantees as part of his new-look contract with the Vikings. He also receives a signing bonus of $38 million, the largest given to a wide receiver in NFL history.

Lamb's deal will pay him an average annual value (AAV) of $34 million. That's just $1 million less in AAV than Jefferson ($35 million).

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.