Despite the fact that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks has scored a touchdown in two of the last three games, he remains a very volatile flex option for fantasy managers in Week 16 heading into a Sunday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since returning in Week 13 from a knee injury that required surgery, Cooks has seven receptions on 15 targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. In the four games he played with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) before his knee injury, Cooks had only nine catches (19 targets) for 91 yards and one touchdown. It's safe to say the 31-year-old veteran is showing serious signs of decline as a deep threat in the NFL, and he's highly dependent on getting into the end zone. The Bucs defense has been a plus matchup for receivers this year, although they've stiffened up in recent weeks. Cooks' limited volume makes him one to avoid.
Dec 21, 2024 12:24 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks was second on the team behind CeeDee Lamb in receiving yards in the 30-14 win over Carolina. Cooks was targeted five times, catching three passes for 34 yards. Cooks is not currently on the fantasy radar despite being second or third in the pecking order most weeks given how concentrated the Dallas offense is on Lamb and running back Rico Dowdle. The veteran should be rostered by Lamb managers as a handcuff over the final weeks of the season, but serves no further use in most formats at this time.
Dec 15, 2024 10:08 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is not in consideration to slot into starting lineups this week with all weapons looking healthy for the team. CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Jake Ferguson are both good to go, making Cooks the third option in a low-ceiling passing attack despite a decent matchup with Carolina's secondary. The veteran is a touchdown-dependent option and he has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games. Given that, he does not have a high ceiling as he has recorded just 19 yards over the last two games.
Dec 14, 2024 8:27 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks found the end zone in the 27-20 loss to Cincinnati on Monday night. Cooks was targeted three times, but his lone catch came on a three-yard house call. The 31-year-old will remain a deep league flex option but is best left on benches due to inconsistencies in his target share. Cooks and the Cowboys will travel to Carolina in Week 15.
Dec 10, 2024 10:07 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is on the flex radar in deep leagues this week. Cooks does not have an injury designation, as he practiced fully on Friday and Saturday. He garnered seven targets in his first game back after an eight-week absence due to a knee injury. The veteran projects as the third option in the passing game with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Jake Ferguson (concussion) also good to go for Monday. His volume is far from consistent, but the matchup against Cincinnati's soft secondary is too strong to ignore. With six teams on bye this week, Cooks is a viable flex option.
Dec 7, 2024 3:47 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) logged a full practice on Friday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Cooks opened the week as a limited participant, but seeing him already upgrade to full participation suggests he will not have an injury designation for Monday night's game. Cooks returned from his seven-game absence on Thanksgiving and caught three of his seven targets for 16 yards and a score. Cooks was sidelined due to a knee infection he suffered following a minor procedure. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Saturday's practice, but he should be expected to suit up on Monday. Despite his modest output last weekend, fantasy managers should view him as a solid WR3, as he will likely operate as the No.2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack going forward.
Dec 6, 2024 4:58 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant due to rest purposes in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Cooks made his return to the field in the Thanksgiving Day win over the division-rival New York Giants last Thursday for the first time since Week 4 due to a knee infection that required surgery. It was a successful return, as the 31-year-old veteran found the end zone, albeit on three catches for only 16 yards. Dallas is likely just resting Cooks after his first game back last week, meaning he should be active this Sunday to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. The matchup against Cincy is an excellent one, although Cooks will remain a low-upside, touchdown-dependent WR5/flex for fantasy managers, especially with it looking like tight end Jake Ferguson will return from a two-game absence due to a concussion.
Dec 5, 2024 5:17 PM EST
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News, Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were not seen at practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to their initial status on the practice report on Thursday, as the Cowboys do not play until Monday evening. Lamb aggravated a previous shoulder injury during their Week 13 victory over the New York Giants, while Cooks returned from his seven-game absence this past weekend. Fantasy managers should not be overly concerned if both wideouts remain limited participants during the initial practice sessions of the week. Lamb should be viewed as a top-12 option on Monday evening, and Cooks as a lower-end flex facing a weak Cincinnati secondary.
Dec 4, 2024 4:39 PM EST
The Athletic's Saad Yousuf does not believe that veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks will return to the team in 2025. Cooks is a strong presence in the locker room, but his production the last two seasons has fallen short of expectations as the No. 2 behind CeeDee Lamb. If the Cowboys also feel the same way about Cooks' future, they could give more playing time to rookie Ryan Flournoy and recent acquisition Jonathan Mingo for the rest of the season. Dallas sent a fourth-round draft pick to the Carolina Panthers for Mingo and might want to get a head start on evaluating him for their 2025 roster. The 31-year-old Cooks has six 1,000-yard seasons in his 11 NFL seasons, but he's slowed down the last two years in Dallas and has also played in only five games in 2024 due to injury. If the Cowboys move on from Cooks after this year, they could look to replace him with another veteran pass-catcher.
Dec 3, 2024 7:05 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks found paydirt for the first time since Week 1 during the team's Thanksgiving win over the New York Giants. He hauled in three of his seven targets for 16 yards and a touchdown. This was his first game back after a seven-game absence and he tied his season-high in targets. Despite his lack of production, Cooks averages 6.5 targets per game this season. His next chance to capitalize on those targets will be against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14.
Nov 29, 2024 10:05 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and was also removed from the final Week 13 injury report, suggesting that he'll be active for the Thanksgiving game on Thursday versus the division-rival New York Giants. Cooks was limited on Monday and Tuesday before upgrading to full participation on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher needed surgery for a knee infection earlier this year and hasn't played since the first meeting against the Giants on Sept. 26, when he went for only one catch on four targets for 16 yards. Cooks' return is good news for Dallas' offense, but with quarterback Cooper Rush now running the show, he'll have even less fantasy appeal for the rest of 2024 and could operate as the No. 3 wideout on Thursday behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert.
Nov 27, 2024 8:52 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) has been activated off Injured Reserve ahead of their Thanksgiving showdown against the New York Giants on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Cooks has been sidelined since he sustained a knee infection following a procedure after their Week 4 victory over the Giants. Before the injury, Cooks was deployed as the clear No. 2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack and averaged 4.8 targets per game. However, he was relatively unproductive from a fantasy perspective and averaged a mere 6.1 PPR points per game during this small stretch. Fantasy managers should monitor his status ahead of Thursday's game, as he could be limited if he returns Thursday. If he does suit up, he should be viewed as a low-end flex option, at best, in deeper leagues and a high-risk flex play in DFS formats.
Nov 27, 2024 4:22 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were both listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Tuesday. It was an estimation after Dallas held another walkthrough on Tuesday. Lamb was active in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and was busy, catching 10 passes for 67 yards on 12 targets. The ceiling is lower for the 25-year-old now that quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is out for the year, but Lamb remains a must-start in fantasy lineups for the Thanksgiving game against the division-rival New York Giants on Thursday. He had a 7-98-1 line against them on Sept. 26. Cooks must be activated from Injured Reserve to play on Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran hasn't played since Sept. 26 and won't be a recommended fantasy play if he returns against the G-Men on Turkey Day.
Nov 26, 2024 7:10 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were both listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. Lamb played through multiple injuries in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and caught 10 passes for 67 yards on 12 targets. He may not practice much on a short week, but we'd be surprised if he's not available as a WR1 for fantasy managers for Thursday's annual Thanksgiving came this year against the division-rival New York Giants. According to executive vice president Stephen Jones, Cooks has a good chance to play on Thursday against the G-Men for the first time since being placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 5. It will be a boost for Dallas' offense, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting much for Cooks, who will likely be an inconsistent deep threat with quarterback Cooper Rush running the offense.
Nov 25, 2024 6:58 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. The veteran receiver has been on injured reserve since Week 4, and he'll have to wait at least one more week before returning to the mix. Through four games earlier in the season, Cooks caught nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. He figures to operate as the Cowboys' No. 2 receiver once he's healthy, but until then, that role belongs to Jalen Tolbert. Cooks could struggle to deliver meaningful production while catching passes from backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
Nov 23, 2024 4:27 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable to make his return for the team's Week 12 divisional meeting with the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Cooks remains on Injured Reserve, so if the Cowboys want him to play this weekend, they'll need to activate him by the deadline on Saturday. An infection in the 31-year-old's right knee required surgery, and he's been on IR since Week 5. If Cooks is activated and active on Sunday, he could operate as Dallas' No. 3 wideout behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert in an offense that is now being run by quarterback Cooper Rush with Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the year. Cooks was already a low-upside, touchdown-dependent WR4/flex in fantasy before his injury, so he won't have much fantasy appeal upon his return.
Nov 22, 2024 5:17 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is practicing and preparing to play against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. The 31-year-old has been on the Injured Reserve list since undergoing knee surgery following Week 4, but it sounds like he could return to action in Week 12. With CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) banged up, Cooks could enter the fantasy football radar in deeper setups, but his upside is likely limited catching passes from Cooper Rush. In four games this season, Cooks caught just nine passes for 91 yards and one touchdown. If Lamb is good to go for Week 12, Cooks should be left on the bench in leagues of 14 or fewer teams.
Nov 21, 2024 2:17 PM EST
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.
Nov 20, 2024 12:06 PM EST
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.
Nov 19, 2024 5:14 PM EST
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.
Nov 6, 2024 2:55 PM EST