Cooks and Jalen Tolbert (finger) are expected to serve as the Cowboys' top two receivers for the next two games with Dallas announcing Thursday that CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Lamb first suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in the Nov. 3 loss to the Falcons and had aggravated the injury on multiple occasions since, but the star wideout had still suited up in Dallas' last seven games while averaging 9.7 targets per contest. With the Cowboys officially eliminated from playoff contention following Week 17 action, the team will shut Lamb down to avoid further wear and tear on his shoulder, with his absence creating a major void in the Dallas passing attack. While Cooks should benefit from some added looks as a result of Lamb's absence, expect quarterback Cooper Rush to disperse Lamb's vacated targets around among a number of pass catchers. In addition to Cooks and Tolbert, tight end Jake Ferguson and depth wideouts Jalen Brooks (knee), Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin could also see their involvement in the passing game increase to varying degrees.
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Cooks and Jalen Tolbert (finger) are expected to serve as the Cowboys' top two receivers for the next two games with Dallas announcing Thursday that CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Lamb first suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in the Nov. 3 loss to the Falcons and had aggravated the injury on multiple occasions since, but the star wideout had still suited up in Dallas' last seven games while averaging 9.7 targets per contest. With the Cowboys officially eliminated from playoff contention following Week 17 action, the team will shut Lamb down to avoid further wear and tear on his shoulder, with his absence creating a major void in the Dallas passing attack. While Cooks should benefit from some added looks as a result of Lamb's absence, expect quarterback Cooper Rush to disperse Lamb's vacated targets around among a number of pass catchers. In addition to Cooks and Tolbert, tight end Jake Ferguson and depth wideouts Jalen Brooks (knee), Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin could also see their involvement in the passing game increase to varying degrees.
Cooks recorded three receptions on three targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Buccaneers. Cooks continued to occupy a small role in the Dallas offense, with CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson dominating targets. This did mark Cook's highest yardage total of the season, due primarily to a long 29-yard catch late in the first quarter. His limited fantasy appeal comes from his ability to find the end zone -- he has three touchdowns in eight games -- though that's difficult to trust on a weekly basis.
Cooks caught three of five targets for 34 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers. CeeDee Lamb dominated the looks from quarterback Cooper Rush with a 9-116-1 line on 13 targets, and while Cooks finished second on the Cowboys in targets, catches and receiving yards, it was Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks who were on the end of Rush's other two touchdowns. Cooks has seen limited volume since returning from a knee injury that cost him seven games in the middle of the season, posting a 7-53-2 line on 15 targets over the last three contests, and he'll be a TD-dependent fantasy option Week 16 against Tampa Bay's vulnerable secondary.
Cooks caught one of three targets for a three-yard touchdown in Monday night's loss to the Bengals. Cooks made the most of his lone catch, securing a third-quarter touchdown from Cooper Rush to tie the game at 17-17. In his second game back from a seven-game absence, Cooks' playing time also spiked to 60 percent of the offensive snaps after playing just 39 percent the previous week. Cooks will square off with Carolina's secondary in Week 15 next Sunday.
Cooks (rest/knee) practiced without limitations Friday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Cooks' limitations in Thursday's practice were primarily rest-related as he gets eased back in ahead of his second game back from a two-month absence due to a knee injury. Barring a setback Saturday, the veteran wideout should head into Monday's matchup with the struggling Bengals secondary sans an injury designation.
Cooks hauled in three of seven targets for 16 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's 27-20 win against the Giants. In his first game action since Week 4, Cooks didn't seem to be on the same page with QB Cooper Rush for large portions of this Week 13 divisional clash, but the two eventually connected for a two-yard touchdown on the Cowboys' first possession of the second half to extend the lead to 20-10. And with Dallas clinging to a 27-20 score at the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter, they again hooked up for a three-yard gain on third-and-2 to effectively salt the game away. Cooks will aim for an improved rapport with Rush when the team next takes the field Monday, Dec. 9 versus the Bengals.
Cooks (knee), who was activated from injured reserve Wednesday, doesn't have a designation for Thursday's contest versus the Giants, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Cooks last played Week 4 at the Giants, as he required an IR stint in the meantime due to an infection stemming from a knee procedure. He was listed as limited at walkthroughs Monday and Tuesday, but his ability to handle a full practice Wednesday indicates he should be able to handle a normal workload Week 13. Before he got injured, Cooks earned at least a 75 percent snap share in each of the first four games of the season, but he mustered just a 9-91-1 line on 19 targets working with Dak Prescott. With Prescott (hamstring) out for the season, Cooks will be on the receiving end of passes from Cooper Rush (knee).
The Cowboys activated Cooks (knee) from injured reserve Thursday, Patrik Walker of the team's official site reports. The Cowboys listed Cook as a limited practice participant throughout last week and again this Monday and Tuesday. They have apparently seen enough from Cooks to have him play for the first time since Week 4, although it's unclear if he'll have a full-time role Thursday against the Giants. Cooks took at least 79 percent of snaps over the Cowboys' first four games before suffering an infection in his right knee during a minor medical procedure. He should be back Thursday after missing seven consecutive games.
Cooks (knee) remained limited in Tuesday's practice, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports. Cooks is still on injured reserve but appears to be nearing a return after he was designated for return last week. He practiced on a limited basis all last week leading up to Week 12 against the Commanders, so it's unclear if he has a real chance to play Thursday against the Giants.