Dallas Cowboys DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said he doesn't need a long-term contract extension done before the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Cleveland Browns. "I think it says a lot if it is or if it isn't," Prescott said. "But 'however' doesn't really matter to me, to be honest with you." Prescott is heading into the final year of a four-year, $160 million deal he signed in 2021 and is scheduled to make $29 million in 2024 and count $55 million against the salary cap. Dallas has talked with Prescott's agent, Todd France, throughout the summer, but a deal doesn't seem close. Prescott said it's up to France and the Cowboys if negotiations continue into the regular season. The Cowboys cannot place the franchise tag on Prescott after the season, so if they are serious about getting an extension done, it must come before the end of the 2024 campaign.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that running back Rico Dowdle will get fewer special teams spans this year because he's expected to be a bigger part of the offense with an expanded workload. Dowdle is expected to open the 2024 season as the co-starter with veteran Ezekiel Elliott, but the recent signing of Dalvin Cook could put a damper on Dowdle's fantasy value this year. The 26-year-old former South Carolina product had just seven carries for Dallas in his first two years in the league, but his role expanded considerably in 2023, as he had 89 rushing attempts for 361 yards and two touchdowns and added 17 receptions for 144 yards and two more scores in 16 regular-season games. Dowdle almost certainly isn't going to take over this backfield single-handedly, which probably caps his fantasy value as a RB4/flex, at best.

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.