CeeDee Lamb’s year has been challenging, starting with fines from his contract holdout with the Cowboys during training camp.
Now, the NFL has hit him with another penalty, this time for a play in Week 3’s loss to the Ravens.
With eight seconds left in the first quarter, Lamb caught a slant pass from Dak Prescott at the Ravens’ 18-yard line and advanced to the 10. As he approached safety Kyle Hamilton, Lamb made the mistake of lowering his helmet, violating NFL rules.
A week later, the NFL fined Lamb $22,511 for “unnecessary roughness/use of helmet,” even though no penalty was called during the game. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero broke the news on Twitter/X: “Another one: The NFL fined #Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb $22,511 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet. No flag was thrown.”
The fine sparked criticism online, with many questioning what Lamb could have done differently. User Chris Phineas commented, “Joke. Player has a right to protect himself,” while Calvin Thomas added, “Geez we might as well play flag football.” Jahmeir D. echoed the sentiment, saying, “Only in the NFL can you get fined for protecting yourself.”
According to the NFL rulebook, it’s illegal for a player to lower his head and make forcible contact with his helmet. Lamb’s fine is part of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, and a second offense would result in a $45,020 fine.
Lamb’s frustration didn’t end there. He fumbled a crucial pass late in the game, which could have shifted the momentum for Dallas. Cameras caught Lamb venting his frustration, even directing words toward Prescott, though he later apologized.
“I let the game get to my head,” Lamb admitted. “But I know what I can do. Going forward, there will be a difference.”
True to his word, Lamb bounced back with a stellar performance in the Cowboys’ 20-15 win over the Giants, recording seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
