Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 2

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will be inactive for Sunday’s game against the Falcons due to disciplinary reasons.

Elliott will not even travel with the team to Atlanta. The Cowboys elevated Dalvin Cook from the practice squad to help fill out the depth chart. With Elliott out, Rico Dowdle is in line for an increase in work, though it is a tough matchup against one of the better run defenses in the league this season in Atlanta. Dowdle is an RB3/Flex while Cook is a deeper-league option and maybe a bit of a desperation play.

Trade: Carolina is sending wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, sources tell ESPN.

Related players: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo

The Panthers get a 5th round pick. It didn't take the Panthers long after rumors were starting to circulate Johnson was in play. The landing spot in Baltimore is interesting to say the least. The big question is will the Ravens consistently throw the ball enough with Travis Henry and Lamar Jackson for Johnson, Flowers and Andrews to keep their fantasy value. It remains to be seen who takes the biggest hit to their value, but the odds seem to favor Flowers here. Meanwhile in Carolina, Thielen is about to return but it's likely time to see what Legette and Mingo can do for the Panthers and the future of their offense.

Sources: There’s a growing belief around the NFL that the Panthers are increasingly likely to trade WR Diontae Johnson before the trade deadline.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Coker

Multiple contending teams are interested, though determining Johnson’s value has been challenging with him in the last year of his contract, the post went on to say. There isn't much reason to keep Johnson in Carolina. He's certainly flashed this year, but it was only with Andy Dalton under center. The Panthers would be able to give the snaps and targets to Legette and Mingo, who were early picks each of the last two seasons in the NFL Draft. Johnson going to a potential contender with a veteran QB would be a huge boost to his fantasy value.

The Panthers ruled out WRs Diontae Johnson (rib) and WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), while QB Andy Dalton (right thumb) is doubtful.

So it'll be Bryce Young throwing to backup receivers on Sunday in Denver.

Related Players: Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore, Jalen Coker

It's probably not a good idea to start any Panthers players this week, and that likely includes Chuba Hubbard.

Adam Thielen said he thinks the plan is to open his 21-day practice window on Wednesday.

Related players: Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo

Thielen has missed the last four games the post went on to say. He's dealing with a hamstring injury. The Panther offense is struggling again, even under Andy Dalton, but Thielen's presence would be a welcome addition and perhaps be a reliable target for Dalton. He could also help to open things up for a frustrated Johnson. It remains to be seen if Thielen would play in Week 8, even if his window is opened this week.

"He definitely needs to touch the ball more, without a doubt." - Mike McCarthy on Rico Dowdle.

Related players: Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott was the only other RB to touch the ball, running 8 times for 17 yards in Week 6. Dowdle ran just 5 times but gained 25 yards. Dowdle was more involved in the passing game since the Cowboys fell behind early, and he caught 5 balls for 30 yards. Dowdle did touch the ball 22 times in Week 5 against the Steelers to Elliott's 6 rushes, so the Cowboys do seem to be trending away from the committee in favor of Dowdle, which was reported a couple weeks ago. The game script probably played a factor in Week 6. The Cowboys have a bye in Week 7 and come back to a game at San Francisco in Week 8 on Sunday night, so it's possible we see a more obvious use of Dowdle with any adjustments coming off the bye week.

The Cowboys placed WR Brandin Cooks (knee) on injured reserve.

Cooks, dealing with an infection in his knee. will miss at least the next four games against the Steelers, Lions, 49ers and Falcons. The Cowboys also have their bye week in there in Week 7. Jalen Tolbert slides in as the No. 2 wide receiver with not much fantasy value.

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.

The running back situation has been as confounding as it has been disappointing. The Cowboys are starting to drift away from a pure committee approach, in the sense that Rico Dowdle’s snap counts and rush attempts are noticeably greater than Ezekiel Elliott or Deuce Vaughn’s.

Related players: Dalvin Cook

The story said Elliott's value is more leadership and pass protection, and it has not been in the form of purely running the football. The story added injuries on the defense may affect when Cook is able to join the roster, but the story added Cook's time could be coming soon. For now, it looks like Dowdle is at least trending in the right direction despite the team's struggles running the ball.

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.