New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) has been activated off Injured Reserve ahead of their Thanksgiving showdown against the New York Giants on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Cooks has been sidelined since he sustained a knee infection following a procedure after their Week 4 victory over the Giants. Before the injury, Cooks was deployed as the clear No. 2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack and averaged 4.8 targets per game. However, he was relatively unproductive from a fantasy perspective and averaged a mere 6.1 PPR points per game during this small stretch. Fantasy managers should monitor his status ahead of Thursday's game, as he could be limited if he returns Thursday. If he does suit up, he should be viewed as a low-end flex option, at best, in deeper leagues and a high-risk flex play in DFS formats.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is in a good place as the team begins preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in Week 13. Olave was present for the team's practice on Tuesday. He has seen several specialists and has another appointment coming up soon. He was placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 9 after suffering his third concussion of 2024. The earliest the former first-rounder will be eligible to return would be for a Week 15 contest against the Washington Commanders. Since that's the start of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, fantasy managers should keep the 24-year-old stashed. However, there's no guarantee Olave will be able to return that week or before the end of the regular season. For the foreseeable future, receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cedrick Wilson Jr. will have elevated roles for the Saints.

Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were both listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Tuesday. It was an estimation after Dallas held another walkthrough on Tuesday. Lamb was active in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and was busy, catching 10 passes for 67 yards on 12 targets. The ceiling is lower for the 25-year-old now that quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is out for the year, but Lamb remains a must-start in fantasy lineups for the Thanksgiving game against the division-rival New York Giants on Thursday. He had a 7-98-1 line against them on Sept. 26. Cooks must be activated from Injured Reserve to play on Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran hasn't played since Sept. 26 and won't be a recommended fantasy play if he returns against the G-Men on Turkey Day.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he thinks the usage of tight end Taysom Hill the last few weeks is trending toward where the team wants it to be the rest of the season. "I think sprinkling him a little bit everywhere is when we're at our best," Rizzi said. The Saints are coming off their bye week, with Hill most notably going off for a career day in the Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns, catching eight of 10 targets for 50 yards while also carrying the ball a season-high seven times for 138 yards and a whopping three rushing touchdowns. In addition, he completed one pass for 18 yards and an interception while returning a kickoff 42 yards. While fantasy managers can't expect a repeat of the 34-year-old's big day in Week 11, Hill has the ability to operate as a TE1 in fantasy the rest of the way with receiver Chris Olave (concussion) still on Injured Reserve.

Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were both listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. Lamb played through multiple injuries in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and caught 10 passes for 67 yards on 12 targets. He may not practice much on a short week, but we'd be surprised if he's not available as a WR1 for fantasy managers for Thursday's annual Thanksgiving came this year against the division-rival New York Giants. According to executive vice president Stephen Jones, Cooks has a good chance to play on Thursday against the G-Men for the first time since being placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 5. It will be a boost for Dallas' offense, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting much for Cooks, who will likely be an inconsistent deep threat with quarterback Cooper Rush running the offense.