Cowboys Announce Huge WR Injury News on Wednesday

The Cowboys received a major piece of injury news on Wednesday, activating the 21-day practice windows for both WR Brandin Cooks and DE Marshawn Kneeland.

They'll now have three weeks to ramp up to speed before rejoining their teammates on the field. Cooks' return, in particular, looms large given how much Dallas' offense is struggling with Cooper Rush under center.

All year long, receivers other than CeeDee Lamb have failed to create separation. Cooks is a proven, reliable weapon, so getting him back will make things easier for the rest of the offense.

Cowboys Activate Brandin Cooks' 21-Day Practice Window After Injury

This is Cooks' second year with the organization. He caught 54 passes for 657 yards and eight TDs in 2023, emerging as the team's clear second-best option in the passing game. This season was more of an issue, as Cooks had only nine receptions for 91 yards and one score in four games prior to getting shut down with injury.

The 31-year-old wideout should expect to improve on that production once he's fully healthy. Rush isn't close to Dak Prescott's level, but Cooks has performed well with a variety of quarterbacks over his lengthy career.

Dallas is still enduring a failed season with no hope of making the playoffs. Cooks is an unrestricted free agent next year, making this upcoming stretch of games critical. It's unclear whether the Cowboys want to bring him back but either way, Cooks is approaching the twilight of his career and needs to prove worthy of another big contract.

The Cowboys take on the Commanders in Week 12 before a Thanksgiving showdown with the Giants. Cooks' debut will likely come on December 9 against the Bengals, though it's possible he targets the Thanksgiving Day contest instead.

Regardless, Cooks' imminent return is great news for Rush and the entire Dallas offense.

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