CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens getting benched has Michael Irvin stunned after Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer's surprise move

The Dallas Cowboys made a very interesting move at the start of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. On the opening drive, the Cowboys benched leading receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, a decision reportedly made by coach Brian Schottenheimer. According to the team, both of them had "missed some things" leading to the game.

Ari Meirov

@MySportsUpdate

#Cowboys WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were not on the field for the opening drive as a coaches decision. Dallas went 3-and-out.

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin was stunned by the decision.

"Wow!!! NO 88 or 3," he wrote.

Michael Irvin

@michaelirvin88

Wow!!! NO 88 or 3👀👀👀

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman said Schottenheimer was trying to prove a point.

“There have been issues with both players as far as effort in the past. This might be (head coach) Brian Schottenheimer sending a message."

Dallas's opening drive ended in a three-and-out. After the Cowboys forced the Raiders to punt on the next drive, Lamb was deployed on the first snap of the second series. Pickens joined him a snap later.

The second drive by the Cowboys ended in Dak Prescott losing the ball on a sack by Maxx Crosby. It was recovered by Tonka Hemingway, and the Raiders scored a field goal in the ensuing possession, the first of three straight in the first quarter.

Lamb eventually caught the night's first touchdown in the second quarter. Pickens later scored a touchdown of his own after an interception.

Cowboys’ benching of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens latest in series of intrateam actions against players

As it turns out, the Cowboys are not the only team to have benched star players this week.

On Sunday, New York Giants rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter was a surprising omission from the starting lineup against the Green Bay Packers. After the game, he revealed that it had been caused by an infraction of team rules that he declined to elaborate on:

"I made a mistake during the week that was detrimental to the team. That was a consequence. So had to live with it."

Interim head coach Mike Kafka also declined to give more details:

“It's something we talked about. I want to make sure it was my decision. So, we'll just keep the rest of that in-house.”

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills made wide receiver Keon Coleman a healthy scratch ahead of their 44-32 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he showed up late for a team meeting during practice week. It was the third time he had been benched this season.