Dallas Cowboys

Updating a previous report, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) remained sidelined during the portion of practice that was open to the media, according to John Machota of The Athletic. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed earlier in the week that the veteran was scheduled to return to the field on Thursday, but he may need some more time to get ready. Cooks has been dealing with a lingering knee injury through most of August but is nearing the end of his rehab process. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status prior to the season opener next week. The 30-year-old saw an uptick in touchdowns (eight) last fall compared to the three he caught in 2022 but continued to see a drop in yards, posting only 657. This was his second straight season falling under the 1,000-yard mark. Cooks remains a solid depth option in all leagues, as he should serve as the No.2 receiver in a high-octane Dallas passing attack.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) will practice on Thursday after he missed time due to a knee injury. Cooks also recently missed time due to a personal issue, but he's returning on Thursday and should be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Cleveland Browns as the team's WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb. The 30-year-old veteran wideout failed to eclipse 700 yards receiving in each of the last two years, but he did find the end zone eight times in 16 regular-season games in 2023 in his first year in Dallas and could have an expanded role in 2024 with Michael Gallup out of town. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting another 1,000-yard season at all, but Cooks could have some nice weeks when opponents choose to double- or triple-team Lamb.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will see more practice repetitions on Thursday. Lamb, who finally inked a four-year, $136 contract extension with the Cowboys on Monday, returned to practice and will continue to get ramped up with the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8 quickly approaching. Dallas was granted a two-game roster exemption for Lamb on Tuesday and placed him on the commissioner's exempt list, meaning he doesn't count against the 53-man roster. The 25-year-old missed a lot of practice reps with the starting offense this offseason and during training camp, but he's back now and is in play as the first overall wideout to come off the board in drafts. Lamb will be a must-start in Week 1 against Cleveland.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle figures to play an enhanced role in 2024 following the departure of veteran running back Tony Pollard. The team brought back longtime Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott early in the offseason and recently signed Dalvin Cook, but both aging backs appear to be well beyond their primes. When asked if this is his best opportunity for extended playing time, Dowdle said, "I think so for sure, with the way things have went out there, practice and things like that. I think I definitely should get a bigger role this year. And I'm looking forward to it." Last season, the South Carolina product rushed 89 times for 361 yards and two touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 144 yards and two more scores as Pollard's breather back. Although he's unlikely to get the backfield to himself, he has a chance to be the leading rusher in an explosive offense. At his preseason draft cost around the RB45 spot, he's worth taking a flier on for fantasy football.

The Dallas Cowboys signed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year extension this week, and with that situation taken care of, all eyes shift toward quarterback Dak Prescott. The former fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State is entering the final year of his current deal, and time is running out to reach an extension before Week 1 of the regular season. However, team owner Jerry Jones said the situation remains unchanged, and Todd Archer of ESPN reports the two sides don't appear to be close to a deal. This will be a situation worth monitoring, but there is no indication Prescott will miss any game action if he heads into the season without a long-term contract. With the Cowboys' rushing attack likely to be downgraded this season, Dallas could have a pass-happier offense in 2024. Prescott could be a value pick as his QB10 ADP, especially if he sees additional red zone carries and pass attempts.