The Dallas Cowboys have officially been eliminated from postseason contention, closing the door on a playoff scenario that had already grown increasingly unlikely. CeeDee Lamb wasted no time in diverting his focus elsewhere, perhaps expecting their hopes to be dashed before their game.
Heading into Week 16, the math was simple but unforgiving: the Cowboys needed to win their final three games while the Philadelphia Eagles lost their final three.
Cowboys CeeDee Lamb makes a ridiculous catch and infuriates Dallas fans
That path disappeared, however, when the Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders 29-18 on Saturday.
That result confirmed Dallas will not take part in the NFL Playoffs as it prepares to face the Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite the disappointing circumstances, one of the franchise’s brightest stars found a different way to stay connected to football.
Lamb goes back to his roots
Wide receiver Lamb made a surprise public appearance on Saturday, attending the Texas high school state championship games.
According to Dallas insider Nick Harris, Lamb was “taking in today’s state championships in a field suite,” supporting familiar faces from his past.
A graduate of Richmond Foster High School, Lamb still has close ties to the local football community.
Several of his former coaches are currently on the Richmond Randle staff, giving the outing personal meaning at a time when the Cowboys‘ season has taken a discouraging turn.
On the field, Lamb has continued to perform at a high level, even as team results have faltered.
Drafted by the Cowboys several years ago, he has established himself as one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL.
Playing alongside George Pickens and quarterback Dak Prescott, Lamb has remained a focal point of the offense throughout the 2025 season.
Statistically, his impact is clear. Lamb currently ranks No. 8 in the NFL in receiving yards.
Despite missing several games due to a concussion and an ankle injury, he has recorded 976 yards and three touchdowns on 63 receptions, production that underscores his importance to Dallas even in a down year.
Will CeeDee Lamb play vs the Chargers?
However, his availability for Week 16 remains a storyline to monitor. Lamb is dealing with an illness that kept him out of practice on Wednesday. While he did not return to the field on Thursday, he remained engaged with the team in other ways.
As ESPN reporter Todd Archer wrote, “CeeDee Lamb (illness) was not on the practice field for the second straight day, but he was involved in the meetings this morning. DaRon Bland (foot) is absent for the second straight day as well.”
The Cowboys will continue to track Lamb‘s status as they head into a challenging matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, one of the stronger teams in the AFC. While postseason stakes are gone, the game still carries significance for evaluation and momentum.
Entering Week 16 with a 6-7-1 record and riding a two-game losing streak, the Cowboys are simply playing for pride and progress.
For Lamb, the focus remains clear: stay connected to the game, support football at every level, and be ready when his team takes the field again, even as the playoff picture fades into the background.
