Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 11

Cowboys begin their voluntary spring workout program one week from today. Barring a surprise departure from precedent, WR CeeDee Lamb won’t participate, as a potential holdout looms.

Gehlken continues, "Barring a contract extension that, when complete, is expected to make Lamb the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, Lamb won’t take the field."

This is always a tricky path in fantasy, as we've seen holdouts last into the regular season, and that puts a question mark on his value in drafts. Lamb is the WR2 in current 4for4 Rankings, but missing time will obviously put a damper on that. We'll keep an eye on the situation throughout the offseason.

Wide receiver Quez Watkins is signing with the Steelers.

Related Players: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Dez Fitzpatrick, Calvin Austin

The Steelers receiver room suddenly looks like a bunch of WR2/3s. As it stands, Watkins figures to work mainly out of the slot with Pickens and Jefferson on the outside. With Diontae Johnson shipped to the Panthers earlier this month, the team is very likely to address the position in the NFL Draft.

Former Giants WR Parris Campbell reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Related Players: DeVante Parker

Outside of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles have mostly UDFA options to fill out their depth, so Campbell should offer a veteran presence into their rotation. He is unlikely to play a large enough role for fantasy consideration.

The Dallas Cowboys and RB Rico Dowdle have agreed to terms on a one-year deal to bring him back in 2024, the team can confirm.

Dowdle will be Dallas’ leading returning rusher after running for 361 yards last season in his first season in a prominent role.

Related Players: Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner

As the depth start stands, Dowdle might be the best value on the board in current best ball drafts. Though the team is likely to add another piece in the NFL Draft, Dowdle is very much on fantasy radars here in March.

Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup. Move to eventually save $9.5M in 2024 cap space as a post-June 1 cut.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, Martavis Bryant, KaVontae Turpin

Gallup has sadly fallen off since tearing his ACL in 2021 and has failed to eclipse 40 receptions in either of the last two years. The once-promising wide receiver will have a chance to find a role with a new team and could contribute as a perimeter option in 2024.

The Steelers are sending WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. A new weapon for Bryce Young. Johnson has a $3 million roster bonus due Friday that the Panthers now will pay.

Related Players: George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Dez Fitzpatrick, Adam Thielen, Terrace Marshall, Jonathan Mingo

This is certainly good news for Bryce Young after the team brought him on board with arguably the worst pass-catching unit in the NFL last year. Johnson should instantly become the focal point of this offense, but the team still desperately needs help at WR, TE, and RB before we get too excited about the Panthers in fantasy.

For the Steelers, this also has them trending in the wrong direction on excitement-level, but it makes George Pickens very intriguing. This puts him in the conversation for a fringe WR2/3, not unlike Courtland Sutton with Russell Wilson the last two seasons.

Steelers have everyone status quo or updated on today’s injury report except Isaac Seumalo (DNP again) and Diontae Johnson, who missed with a knee injury. TJ Watt (full) and Alex Highsmith (limited) remain on track. Najee Harris and Damontae Kazee were full participants.

Related Players: George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Allen Robinson

Johnson has been very unproductive since his first three games off the IR, topping 50 yards receiving only once in the last five games (57 yards last week). His catch rate has plummeted to 56.1%, which ranks 90th out of 100 qualifying receivers.
George Pickens was routinely productive while Johnson was sidelined, and has four games with 80+ receiving yards on the season. He would get a nice bump if his teammate were to miss Week 15.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) is out again Sunday, while WR George Pickens (shin) fully participated today and is good to go against the Bengals.

Related Players: Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson

Pickens' target participation has predictably plummeted since the return of Diontae Johnson, and he has 104 total receiving yards in his last four games combined. Will new OC Eddie Faulkner get Pickens going in Week 12? It's possible, but he can't be trusted as more than a FLEX play at this point.

Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb was estimated as a limited practice participant Monday with an ankle injury. But he was upgraded to full participation Tuesday and guarantees he will play Thanksgiving Day.

Lamb was quotes in the story as saying, “I’m straight. I’ll be out there,” Lamb said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. He's been perhaps the hottest fantasy player as of late and owners should again have high expectations heading into a game with the Commanders.