Dallas Cowboys

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.

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey had a down game by his standards in Week 12 in Washington. While he scored 10 fantasy points, he missed two field goals. His two makes from 40-plus yards saved his fantasy day. Aubrey has now missed three field goals in the last two weeks. His only other miss occurred in Week 4. The Cowboys will host the Giants on Thanksgiving, and Aubrey should have plenty of chances to make kicks throughout this game. The Giants' defense is not a scary matchup for the Cowboys. Additionally, the Cowboys under quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) seem to have a hard time getting the ball into the end zone after reaching field goal range. As such, the kicks should flow for Aubrey and he should continue to be a top-five kicker for your fantasy squad. Start him with confidence in Week 13.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker is in line to continue his expanded role in Week 13 with Jake Ferguson (concussion) slated to miss another game. Schoonmaker has certainly caught the attention of quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) over the last two weeks. He has caught nine of 14 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown over that span. The Cowboys will host the New York Giants on Thanksgiving in Week 13. The Giants are No. 2 against opposing tight ends in fantasy football in 2024. They just held the red-hot Cade Otton to one reception in Week 12. Schoonmaker's production could be tapped this week. However, Schoonmaker is an important target in an offense devoid of reliable playmakers outside of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back/foot). As such, Schoonmaker may be able to produce based on volume alone. Given the volatility at tight end in fantasy football, you could do a lot worse than Schoonmaker this week. He should be in lineups, especially those missing Ferguson.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (knee) is off the injury report and ready to go in Week 13. Rush has played well over his last two games. He has averaged 300.5 yards per game and thrown three touchdowns over that span. He has scored at least 17.36 fantasy points in both games. While he is not going to win you your week with those numbers, he is a solid QB2. With no teams on a bye in Week 13 and no major quarterback injuries at the moment, Rush should not be started in one-quarterback leagues. However, he is a high-end No. 2 option in two-quarterback leagues. The Cowboys host the New York Giants on Thanksgiving in Week 13. The Giants are No. 24 against quarterbacks in fantasy. The Cowboys offense has had trouble scoring points under Rush, but this feels like a game in which Rush could push for multiple touchdown passes and limit his turnovers. Most importantly, Rush should support the production of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and tight end Luke Schoonmaker. Both players should see plenty of target volume and should not have too difficult of a time in Week 13.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle will look to deliver flex value in fantasy in Week 13. The Cowboys will host the New York Giants in a Thanksgiving Day tilt. The Giants have been much better against the pass than the run in 2024 and the Cowboys may look to exploit that weakness. Dowdle has come alive as the Cowboys' feature back in recent weeks. His production is not anything spectacular, but he is certainly worthy of a flex spot if you are dealing with injuries. Dowdle has scored double-digit PPR fantasy points in five of his seven games played. He is very involved in the passing game which will help offset any lack of rushing output in Dallas' middling offense. Dowdle also has a chance to find the end zone for the first time on the ground this season. With New York's offense not faring much better than Dallas' over the last few weeks, the Cowboys should be in a neutral to positive game script all day. You do not need to force Dowdle into your lineup this week, but he should provide a solid fantasy floor as he has for most of the season since he took over as the starting running back.