Cowboys Notes: Lamb, Elliott, Injuries

CeeDee Lamb has sought an extension throughout the offseason, and whether or not one is worked out over the coming weeks will be a key storyline for the Cowboys. The All-Pro is one of several wideouts around the league whose uncertain financial status could lead to a training camp holdout.

Lamb saw Justin Jefferson become the league’s top earner amongst non-quarterbacks with his Vikings extension. The $35MM AAV of that pact could represent a starting point for negotiations from his perspective, although the Cowboys are not aiming to reset the market further on extensions for Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott or edge rusher Micah Parsons. Whenever Lamb’s next deal is in place, he will be set to earn far more than the $17.99MM value of his 2024 fifth-year option.

Jon Machota of The Athletic writes an agreement with the 25-year-old “should” be worked out by the time training camp starts next month (subscription required). He adds a Lamb pact can be expected to check in at or slightly below the Jefferson accord in terms of value. Until significant traction is gained in negotiations (which have been expected to accelerate), however, this situation will remain unresolved.

Here are some other Cowboys notes:

• After seeing Tony Pollard depart in free agency, Dallas reunited with Ezekiel Elliott in a post-draft deal (one year, $2MM). Rumblings of an agreement picked up leading up to the event, and Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News notes head coach Mike McCarthy wanted to work out the signing during the draft. His desire to move quickly, per Watkins, stemmed from the chance of Elliott signing with a different team if the Cowboys waited too long. In the end, though, the Cowboys landed the former rushing champion (after not making a rookie addition in the backfield) in anticipation of a RB-by-committee approach in 2024.
• Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown missed his rookie season due to a torn ACL, so it came as no surprise that he was absent from Dallas’ spring practices. He was joined in that regard by defensive tackle Mazi Smith and tight end Luke Schoonmaker as they rehabbed injuries of their own during OTAs and minicamp, Machota notes. The former – who did not have a strong rookie season – was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery while the latter dealt with hamstring issues. Their availability and performances in training camp will be worth keeping an eye on.
• Gareon Conley joined the Cowboys on a one-year deal this offseason after his tenure with the Texans came to an end. The veteran corner filed a grievance against Houston stemming from a shin stress fracture as well as arthroscopic ankle surgery he underwent while with the Texans. That matter has now been settled, with Conley receiving $100K from the Texans, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The 29-year-old’s last NFL action came in 2019.