Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 9

The Cowboys will be without WR Brandin Cooks for at least this week vs. Pittsburgh and potentially longer after an infection developed in his right knee following a procedure he had after remaining in NY following the win against the Giants, according to multiple sources.

Related Players: Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin

Cooks looked as if he were set up to get a ton of work in this pass-heavy option, but it never came to fruition, as he turned 19 targets into a 9-91-1 stat line. The aging speed merchant might not return to his role if either of the Jalens can step up, and is now a drop candidate who we can aim for later in the year if he does happen to regain the de facto WR2 role.

For this week, consider Tolbert a deep Flex play, while CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson should be started everywhere.

Panthers have ruled three players out for Sunday:
Damien Lewis (elbow), Shy Tuttle (foot), Lonnie Johnson (hip).

Three other players questionable: Robert Hunt (hip), Diontae Johnson (groin), A'Shawn Robinson (knee).

Related Players: Jonathan Mingo, Xavier Legette

This would be a bummer if Johnson missed after the offense was absolutely humming while he compiled an 8-122-1 stat line in Week 3. It'd be an even bigger blow to the offense as a whole after they just lost WR Adam Thielen. If Johnson is a go, consider him a WR2 but if he misses this passing attack may end up being one to avoid altogether.

Still no A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) at practice. #Eagles WRs trending toward not playing Sunday at the Bucs.

Related Players: Dallas Goedert, Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, Johnny Wilson

Things have gotten thin in Philadelphia, and they may have no choice but to try and get Goedert to repeat his 10-170-0 stat line from last week. It's probably best to skip the ancillary wide receivers here and just fire Saquon Barkley and Goedert everywhere you can.

Philadelphia has placed receiver Britain Covey on injured reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday’s win over New Orleans.

Covey had to exit the game in the first half and was unable to return. He has caught seven passes for 34 yards so far this season. He’s also returned one punt for 9 yards.

Related players: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Parris Campbell, Dallas Goedert, Saquon Barkley

Normally this may not be big news but the Eagles were involving Covey over the last two weeks before his injury. The other reason to pay attention is Brown is dealing with a hamstring issue and is in question for Week 4 - as is Smith who is in concussion protocol. That leaves Dotson, Wilson and Campbell as - possibly - the Eagles top-three WRs heading into Week 4. Even if that's the case, look for Goedert and Barkley to be heavily involved against the Bucs. Brown does have a chance to play but it's another situation to monitor this week.

The Panthers will be without one of their key offensive players for at least four weeks.

Carolina is placing Adam Thielen on injured reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s victory over the Raiders, according to multiple reports.

Related players: Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore, Chuba Hubbard

Thielen sustained the injury while catching a 31-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Thielen is expected to return to the field at some point in 2024, the story said. The rookie Legette and Mingo, along with Moore, all move up the depth chart. Legette had two catches for 42 yards and Mingo caught three for 18 in Week 3. Both players have six total catches this season. Look for Hubbard to likely remain heavily involved in the passing game, too.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on TE Jake Ferguson (knee): "Jake looked good today. I'd put him at a full practice (participation) assessment."

Looks like Ferguson should return Sunday against the Ravens after missing last Sunday's game.

Related Players: Luke Schoonmaker

Schoonmaker had a nice showing in a spot-start, hauling in all of his targets for a 6-43-0 stat line in Week 2. We would assume that he goes right back to his back-up role if Ferguson is a full go. Ferguson will return to his low-end TE1 projection against the Ravens.

Mike McCarthy said CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs will be limited today "not of high concern," MM said. Mazi Smith has a back issue and Cowboys still trying to figure that out.

Related Players: Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks

Looks like Lamb is on pace to be cleared ahead of Week 3. Fire him up everywhere.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on 1053 The Fan said TE Jake Ferguson (knee) was “real close” to playing yesterday.

Related players: Luke Schoonmaker

“The expectation is for him to be back” this week Jones said via the post. While the Cowboys probably missed Ferguson, Schoonmaker stepped in and played pretty well in terms of fantasy production and finished with a line of 6-43-0 on six targets. The Cowboys play in a later afternoon game on Sunday so hopefully owners have plenty of time to adjust, but Ferguson seems to be pointing in the right direction at least as of now.

Jake Ferguson is officially doubtful for Sunday. John Stephens is out. All other Cowboys enter the game without a status designation.

Related Players: Luke Schoonmaker

Now locked in as the No. 2 pass-catcher, Brandin Cooks should be started as a WR3/4 anywhere you have him. Schoonmaker makes for a decent streaming option for managers looking to avoid a goose egg.

Broncos are placing rookie RB Audric Estime on injured reserve due to an ankle injury; Estime now will miss a minimum of four weeks.

Related Players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson

Just a few short weeks ago, this backfield looked like a mess, but now it's down to Williams and McLaughlin, which makes it much more palatable. Estime can safely be dropped anywhere he may have been stashed away.