The Dallas Cowboys opened running back Brandin Cooks' (knee) 21-day practice window on Wednesday to return from Injured Reserve. Head coach Mike McCarthy said on Tuesday that the team is hoping to get Cooks back for their Week 12 divisional tilt this Sunday against the Washington Commanders. The 31-year-old veteran has been out since Sept. 26 due to an infected right knee that required surgery, so even though his practice window has opened, he's not a lock to return this weekend. Cooks is going to need to prove to Dallas in practice this week that he's ready to roll. Even if he is cleared to play against Washington on Sunday, fantasy managers would be wise to avoid him in starting lineups with quarterback Cooper Rush now leading the offense. Cooks caught nine passes for 91 yards and one touchdown in four games before his injury.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said he's hoping the team will get wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) back for their Week 12 contest versus the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday. Cooks has been on Injured Reserve since Oct. 5 due to an infected right knee that required surgery. The fact that the Cowboys have yet to open the 31-year-old veteran's 21-day practice window before coming off IR makes us skeptical that we'll see Cooks on the field against the Commanders this weekend. And even if Cooks is activated from IR and is active on Sunday, we'd expect him to serve as more of Dallas' No. 3 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert in his first game back. Before his injury, Cooks had been a disappointing WR4/flex for fantasy managers, collecting nine catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. Things won't get any better with Cooper Rush at QB.
Brandin Cooks Not Ready For Practice Window To Be Opened
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is progressing well in his recovery from a knee injury, but he is not yet ready to return to practice, according to Cowboys writer Nick Harris. The 31-year-old has not played since Week 4, and it does not sound like he's close to playing in the Week 10 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Cooks hauled in nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in four games to begin the season this year, and he looks to be beyond his prime. Additionally, with Dak Prescott (hamstring) expected to miss multiple weeks and potentially go on IR, Cooks' upside would be limited with Cooper Rush under center even if he did return soon. The Cowboys also traded for former Panthers wideout Jonathan Mingo, so Cooks could have limited playing time as Dallas potentially sets its sights on the future. Fantasy managers with empty IR spots can consider stashing him, but it seems unlikely that he will become a key fantasy contributor down the stretch, especially while working his way back from a significant injury.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is going on Injured Reserve on Saturday, which means he will miss at least the next four games. In a corresponding move, the Cowboys moved linebacker Nick Vigil to the active 53-man. Amani Oruwariye and Carl Lawson are also being elevated from the practice squad. Cooks had already been ruled out for Week 5's Sunday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but now he won't be eligible to return until Week 10 against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have their bye in Week 7. This news certainly makes Jalen Tolbert more attractive as a waiver-wire pickup if he's still available in your league, as he's expected to see a substantial role increase as the WR2 in Dallas behind CeeDee Lamb with Cooks sidelined. Cooks caught nine of 19 targets for 91 yards and one touchdown in the first four weeks of the season.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is expected to miss some games, according to Clarence Hill Jr. Hill reported that Cowboys VP Steven Jones expressed that the No.2 wideout will miss some games due to his knee infection on 1053 The Fan. Cooks underwent an operation following their Week 4 victory over the New York Giants but faced a setback due to an infection caused by the procedure. Fantasy managers should monitor the veteran's status over the next few weeks but should find an alternative option for the foreseeable future. Jalen Tolbert is a strong candidate to serve as the No.2 pass receiver opposite of CeeDee Lamb and has performed well this season, catching at least three passes in three games. Tight Jake Ferguson should also see an uptick in targets during Cooks' absence.
The Dallas Cowboys will be without wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for at least the Week 5 tilt on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he could potentially miss more time after an infection developed in his right knee after a procedure he had after remaining in New York following last Thursday night's win over the division-rival New York Giants, according to multiple sources. Fantasy managers that are in need of receiving help with byes starting in Week 5 may want to look to the waiver wire and pick up Jalen Tolbert, who will serve as Dallas' WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb with Cooks sidelined this weekend. Tight end Jake Ferguson should also see an uptick in targets from quarterback Dak Prescott. The 31-year-old Cooks has caught nine of his 19 targets for 91 yards and one touchdown through four weeks in his second season with Dallas. It sounds like he could miss time beyond Week 5.
Dallas Cowboys veteran receiver Brandin Cooks projects in the WR4 range ahead of Thursday night's game against the New York Giants. Cooks has seen a fairly consistent role throughout the first three weeks as Dallas' WR2 and third option in the passing game. The 31-year-old is averaging five targets per game and has an 80% snap share on the season. Being on the field leads to opportunity, and we know that Cooks will be on the field for the Cowboys on Thursday night. He isn't a sexy start and doesn't have the highest ceiling, but Cooks can be considered as a flex option this week.
Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks did not have a productive day in the 28-25 loss to Baltimore. The veteran receiver was targeted six times, but only caught two balls for 16 yards. Cooks has now recorded back-to-back disappointing performances and is falling off of the fantasy radar. With that being said, he still holds an every-down role in a high-volume passing offense. The 30-year-old will be back in action on Thursday against the New York Giants.
Brandin Cooks Practices In Full Thursday, Likely To Avoid Game Status
Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks was limited in practice on Wednesday due to rest, but fully participated in Thursday's practice ahead of the Week 3 matchup with Baltimore. Cooks is not injured and should enter the game as the healthiest pass-catcher for Dallas with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and Jake Ferguson (knee) battling injuries. The veteran is a WR4 option this week, as both Lamb and Ferguson are trending towards playing. The Cowboys should lean on the pass against a softer Baltimore secondary, making Cooks a potential flex option in deeper leagues.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks couldn't get into much of a rhythm on Sunday, just like the rest of the offense in a disappointing 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Cooks caught both of his targets for 19 yards with his longest reception clocking in at 11 yards. Outside of CeeDee Lamb with his touchdown, the next best receiver in this contest was Jalen Tolbert who received nine targets and turned it into six receptions for 82 yards. For Cooks and all of the receivers behind Lamb, their fantasy value is going to be game script-dependent. The veteran wideout projects to be more of a boom-or-bust flex option as the season rolls on. Cooks and company will take on a Baltimore Ravens team looking for their first win in Week 3.
Brandin Cooks
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