The Dallas Cowboys will be without wide receiver Brandin Cooks for their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as an infection has developed in his right knee following a recent procedure. The infection surfaced after Cooks underwent surgery in New York post the Cowboys’ win over the Giants.
After returning to Dallas and experiencing symptoms, Cooks had a follow-up procedure performed by the team doctors to clean out the infection. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Cooks will not play this Sunday, and his return timeline is uncertain.
Cooks had been managing a knee issue since training camp, but it hadn’t stopped him from participating in practices or games. Earlier in the summer, Cooks had undergone a similar knee procedure without complications. In the first four games of this season, he has recorded nine receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown, with the majority of his production coming in the season-opening win against the Cleveland Browns.
Since joining the Cowboys in a trade from the Houston Texans in 2023, Cooks has struggled to make a significant impact on offense. The veteran receiver, who has recorded six 1,000-yard seasons with four different teams (New Orleans, New England, Los Angeles Rams, Houston), was expected to bolster the Cowboys’ passing game.
However, despite his slow start this season, Cooks has been a valuable presence in the locker room, serving as a mentor to younger players and demonstrating his speed during training camp.
With Cooks sidelined, the Cowboys’ wide receiver group lacks depth and experience behind CeeDee Lamb, who leads the team with 20 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns. The remaining receivers on the roster – Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, and Ryan Flournoy – have combined for just 21 catches this season. McCarthy expressed confidence in these players, highlighting that they will have more opportunities to step up in Cooks’ absence.
Despite having $22.25 million in salary cap space, the Cowboys appear reluctant to make a trade to bolster the receiver position, preferring to save the cap room for future needs, including dead money from expiring contracts in 2025. The last time the Cowboys made an in-season trade for a wide receiver was in 2018 when they acquired Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders. McCarthy emphasized his belief in the current roster, stating that the younger receivers will have chances to contribute more moving forward.
