Cowboys could be without top-two WRs in Week 12 vs. Raiders

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys could be without Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb on Thanksgiving vs. Raiders

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Nov 22, 2021 9:15 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys have only three days to prepare for their Week 12 Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, and they may have to do so without their top-two wide receivers.

Amari Cooper -- who ranks second on the team in targets (65), receptions (44), receiving yards (583) and receiving touchdowns (five) -- is already out for the tilt after testing positive for COVID-19 leading up to Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper missed the loss to Kansas City and because he is unvaccinated, and because of the quick turnaround, he will be unable to clear the protocols in time.

CeeDee Lamb meanwhile, is the team's leader in targets (77), receptions (50), receiving yards (740) and receiving touchdowns (six), but was limited to three receptions for 14 yards on 36 offensive snaps in Week 11 due to a concussion.

From @GMFB: The #Cowboys may be without their top two weapons, while if Jared Goff is healthy enough, he’ll start Thursday for the #Lions after injuring his oblique in pre-game last week. pic.twitter.com/eCUVQRiF4m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 22, 2021

If Lamb has to join Cooper in sitting out Week 12, the Cowboys could have to lean heavily on their rushing attack, led by Ezekiel Elliott and to a lesser extent, Tony Pollard. For his primary receiving options, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will have both running backs, as well as tight end Dalton Schultz and wide receiver Michael Gallup.

The Cowboys and Raiders are slated to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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