Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was benched to start the game for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, along with fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb .
Pickens and Lamb did not start the game for the Cowboys on Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders . ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters reported that there was no injury issue and that the players were not in the starting lineup thanks to a coach's decision.
Without the team's top two receivers on the field, the Cowboys went three-and-out on the opening possession, with one Dak Prescott pass going incomplete to Jalen Tolbert .
Pickens didn't let the slow start hold him back. He had over 100 yards receiving in the first half and scored a touchdown in the second quarter.
Pickens was immediately flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct on the celebration after his touchdown.
Pickens was traded from the Steelers to the Cowboys this May after a series of on- and off-the-field incidents that came to a head at the end of the 2024 season. Pickens said he's appreciated a fresh start with the Cowboys.
"It was a good for me," Pickens said . "Just strictly because you know when you're somewhere long and you build a certain record, a certain label, whether that's good, great, or bad, you just want a fresh start. That's how I feel like it is with a lot of people in life."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 11, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers replaced Pickens with DK Metcalf , but have continually struggled to find another receiver to put alongside their top receiver for the second straight offseason.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : George Pickens Benched for Start of Game by Cowboys
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