The Dallas Cowboys will face the New York Giants in Week 13. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding WR Brandin Cooks.
Is Brandin Cooks Playing in Week 13?
Brandin Cooks (knee) is expected to make his return on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys formally activated the veteran receiver from injured reserve on Wednesday, and he has no injury designation for Thursday’s game.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said Monday (Nov. 25) that the veteran receiver had a “good chance” to suit up against the Giants this week. Cooks was limited for Monday and Tuesday’s walkthroughs but fully practiced on Wednesday. Dallas opened his IR return window last Wednesday (Nov. 20).
Cooks hasn’t played since September while battling a knee injury and subsequent infection. The 31-year-old was limited for every practice leading up to Week 12 but did not play despite being listed as questionable.
Cooks posted nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in four games before going down. While he could overtake Jalen Tolbert to become Dallas’ WR2 down the stretch, there’s not much fantasy appeal in a Cowboys offense helmed by Rush or Lance.
We’ll continue to monitor the Cowboys’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Brandin Cooks in Week 13?
Brandin Cooks (knee) hasn’t played since September, and while news out of Dallas seems to be cautiously optimistic on the status of the veteran receiver, fantasy managers need not worry.
In 2023, Cooks posted the worst yards per route run rate of his career, and nothing in the early going this season — in a Dak Prescott-led offense — suggested that a rebound was imminent. With the Cowboys’ season a lost one and Cooks’ contract done at the end of the season, neither party has enough motivation to pique the interest of fantasy managers in the slightest.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 13 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Brandin Cooks’ Fantasy Points Projection in Week 13
Due to his uncertain status, we currently do not have a projection for Cooks in Week 13.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Brandin Cooks’ Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship WR PPR Rankings
1) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) Terry McLaurin | WAS (at PHI)
3) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
4) Khalil Shakir | BUF (at KC)
5) Xavier Worthy | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Hollywood Brown | KC (vs. BUF)
7) DeAndre Hopkins | KC (vs. BUF)
8) Keon Coleman | BUF (at KC)
9) Dyami Brown | WAS (at PHI)
10) Mack Hollins | BUF (at KC)
11) Amari Cooper | BUF (at KC)
12) Curtis Samuel | BUF (at KC)
13) Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS (at PHI)
14) JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC (vs. BUF)
15) Jahan Dotson | PHI (vs. WAS)
16) Jamison Crowder | WAS (at PHI)
17) Luke McCaffrey | WAS (at PHI)
18) Justin Watson | KC (vs. BUF)
19) Johnny Wilson | PHI (vs. WAS)
20) Parris Campbell | PHI (vs. WAS)
21) Nikko Remigio | KC (vs. BUF)
22) Ainias Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
