What happened to CeeDee Lamb? Cowboys WR sidelined in second half during Thanksgiving game vs Giants

The Dallas Cowboys finally won a home game for the first time this season, defeating the New York Giants 27-20 on Thanksgiving. But they did so even though one of their key contributors was missing from the second half.

Star wide receiver CeeDeeLamb had been noticeably invisible in the first 30 minutes of the game, dropping three passes, one of which would have been an easy first down.

Then in the third quarter, he landed awkwardly after cornerback Dru Phillips tackled him on a reception attempt and was taken out of the game. While no injury was revealed, cameras repeatedly caught him rotating his shoulder.

During the broadcast, Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews reported that the Cowboys did not have an official injury update on Lamb. She also noted that he has been dealing with a shoulder injury this season.

Lamb would not play in the fourth quarter but was a happy spectator as his team took the win.

---

Key contributors in Cowboys' defeat of Giants

If Lamb played poorly (only two catches for 39 yards and no touchdowns), then who got most of the credit for the Cowboys' triumph?

The best player in the game was easily running back Rico Dowdle, who finally hit triple-digit yards for the first time. He carried the ball 22 times for 112 yards and a touchdown (the first Cowboy since Tony Pollard in Week 3 of 2023 to do so), and also caught three passes for 11 yards.

He was greatly aided by the offensive line, which also notably managed to hold Dexter Lawrence II and the rest of the Giants' highly-vaunted pass rush without a single sack. Head coach Mike McCarthy said after the game:

"It is clear evidence of what he can do when he gets 20 carries. ... You're getting to see what we see (in practice) every day.''

KaVontae Turpin also made his presence felt, leading the team with 53 yards from four catches. Cooks scored Cooper Rush's only touchdown pass and eventually confirmed the result with this side-lunge catch:

The defense also had a monstrous night, sacking Drew Lock five times. DeMarvion Overshown also intercepted him once and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. After the game, the sophomore linebacker said:

"I've been waiting for something like that."

Next up for the Cowboys are the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9 - their last interconference game of the season. Kickoff is at 8:15 PM on ESPN/ABC.