Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Brandon Aiyuk

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, 7:15 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing both his right ACL and MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. An MRI exam on Monday morning confirmed the team's fears of a season-ending injury to one of their top wideouts. Aiyuk had a notable offseason saga with the Niners when they couldn't come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension until Aug. 29, when they signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal. The former first-rounder was a complete bust this year in fantasy, catching only 25 passes for 374 yards and no TDs in his seven games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. dealing with pneumonia, Jauan Jennings (hip) suddenly will become a hot waiver-wire pickup this week, as well as rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall in deeper leagues.