Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Adam Thielen

Saturday, October 5, 1:15 PM

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.

Monday, October 21, 8:28 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) said he thinks the plan is for the team to open his 21-day practice window this Wednesday. Thielen has missed all four games during the team's losing streak and will be eligible to come off Injured Reserve and play in Week 8 versus the Denver Broncos. The 32-year-old is recovering from a right-hamstring injury, but even if his practice window is opened this week, it won't guarantee his return to the field on Sunday. When Thielen does return, he'll enter three-wide sets alongside Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette, but he's unlikely to have the kind of fantasy upside he had in 2023 now that Legette is in the picture. The veteran pass-catcher had eight catches on 12 targets for 109 yards with a touchdown in three games before his injury. Those searching for wideout depth in deeper fantasy leagues could look to Thielen for depth if he's available.