It’s been only a day since the Dallas Cowboys kicked off their mandatory minicamp, and a few rookies are already shining bright! The three-day practice commenced on Tuesday at The Star in Frisco. While rookies are determined to prove themselves on the field, the franchise’s wide receiver remained absent.

CeeDee Lamb chose to skip the first day of the minicamp amid the delays in his contract extension by the franchise. While this could be the WR’s way of making a statement, he could face penalties for this move. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ guard couldn’t be happier with his new teammates on the O-line!

Tyler Smith is “blown away” by the rookies

Tyler Smith had only good things to say about his newly drafted teammates on the offensive line during a recent interview on the team’s official page. “I mean, as far as the o-line room goes, like you know, I’ve been blown away,” said the guard. He further praised this year’s draft picks, guard Cooper Beebe and OT Tyler Guyton, calling them “extremely athletic guys.”

“Like -we went out and got great athletes, great football players, and Coupe Tyler and -Nathan, and they’re just they’re extremely athletic guys. Guys who have a lot of upside, guys who are learning fast -who really have come in pretty polished already, you know.” Smith further shared that the team is currently helping the newbies learn the offense and working on technique while emphasizing that he’s “extremely impressed so far.” While newbies were putting their best foot forward, there was one who remained absent to express his dissent with the franchise.

CeeDee Lamb’s absence in the minicamp to cost him?

It’s no secret at this point that several Cowboys key players are awaiting contract extensions this offseason. While Dak Prescott remains patient and has been regular at the voluntary OTAs and now the minicamp, WR Lamb and LB Parsons chose to skip it to make their stance on the situation clear. However, while the linebacker returned for the mandatory minicamp, the receiver chose to sit out, vying for a new deal.

Lamb will enter the last year of his rookie contract this season and is awaiting an extension for 2025. Wide receivers are bagging monumental deals this offseason; Justin Jefferson recently signed a $140 million contract with the Vikings, and the Cowboys’ 2020 draft pick doesn’t want to miss out. He is reported to be seeking a figure in a similar ballpark, around a $136 million extension from the franchise, and his absence from the minicamp reflects the same.

However, this move might cost the WR in fines, as per Spotrac. The penalty for skipping the first day of the mandatory camp is $16,953, which goes on to be $33,908 and $50,855 for the second and third days, respectively.

Whether CeeDee Lamb would return to the minicamp remains to be seen. However, the rest of the Dallas Cowboys crew seems to be giving their all, prepping to make a comeback next season.