Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Curtis Samuel

Tuesday, January 6, 9:48 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks has mostly played a minimal role since signing with the team in late November. However, Cooks had a breakout game in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording four catches for 101 yards on six targets. The Bills have been searching for a reliable wide receiver option to pair with wideout Khalil Shakir for most of the season. Notably, Cooks was among the players Buffalo chose to rest during their Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets. While the Bills will likely continue to rotate wide receivers, Cooks' Week 18 status could indicate the team plans to heavily feature him in its Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 32-year-old has postseason experience, recording 35 receptions for 494 yards across seven career playoff games. Cooks had just five total catches across five games played for Buffalo this season, so expectations should remain limited. However, Cooks could be an under-the-radar wide receiver option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.

Monday, January 5, 7:50 PM

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that there are no plans to open the practice window for any of the players on Injured Reserve this week, including wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow), per Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. Samuel was put on IR in late November, and he won't be eligible to be activated to play in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs this Sunday against the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars. Samuel has battled through injuries for most of the year and has appeared in only six games for Buffalo, catching seven passes for 81 yards and one touchdown. He also returned nine kickoffs for 223 yards on special teams. If the Bills advance and Samuel is activated from IR, he will be off the radar in fantasy playoff leagues as WR depth for the Bills.