Team news: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys’ loss to the Bengals on Monday night dropped them to 5-8 on the season and left them with scant hope of making it to the playoffs this season, but that’s not going to lead to a shift in their plan at quarterback.

That was the word from team owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday morning. Cooper Rush has been the team’s starter since Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury, but there have been questions about whether the Cowboys will take a look at Trey Lance before his contract expires at the end of the season.

The story said Jones has been resistant to playing Lance and that he hasn't changed his mind about who will start against the Panthers in Week 15. Jones added in a quote he thought the team "did some good things out there" against the Bengals, and that he believes Rush "gives us our best chance." Unless things change over the final couple of weeks, it doesn't look like Lance is going to get any kind of chance in Dallas.

Starting in Washington, this is now his third straight week Rico Dowdle taking 70%+ of the carries.

Related players: Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, Dalvin Cook

The post went on to say Dowdle was averaging 48% of the Cowboys' carries over the course of his first nine games. Pittsburgh was the only week he got more than 57% of the team's carries. We did report, even starting back in summer, that Dowdle was the best RB on the team according to those who cover the Cowboys. Unfortunately for owners, it took some time for Dowdle to become the clear RB1, but for those who own him heading into the playoffs, this is a comforting stat to know. The next question will be what is Dowdle's future with the Cowboys. With so many needs and questions heading into 2025, it's possible Dowdle is back as an overall inexpensive option.

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is off the injury report and is good to go for Monday against the Bengals.

Lamb is still dealing with an AC joint injury but did practice Friday and Saturday (the Cowboys held a walkthrough Saturday). Lamb has said he’s been dealing with the injury for a few weeks but that he does have full range of motion and should be fine for Monday. He officially has no game designation for the game. Lamb is our WR10 this week.

CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has no doubts he will play Monday. "It comes with the territory man. It’s about being a baller and it’s about going out there and sacrificing, putting yourself out there for your guys. And that’s what I'm doing. As far as Monday goes, I’ll be fine by then."

Related Players: KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Brandin Cooks

The Cowboys have a great MNF matchup against a Bengals defense ranking 30th in WR aFPA, so this is great news for Lamb managers. Consider him a volume-based WR1 for Week 14.

Cowboys ruled out Jake Ferguson for the Thanksgiving game vs. the New York Giants due to his concussion. His replacement, once again, will be Luke Schoonmaker.

This was expected, but it could have been a nice matchup for the No. 2 pass-catcher. Schoonmaker is a little less exciting but is worth a TE stream for desperate managers.

Long list here, but this is what I’ve gathered:

Guys I expect to play: Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith, Cooper Rush

Guys I don’t expect to play: Jake Ferguson, Caelen Carson (possible IR), Zack Martin, Asim Richards

Gonna be close: Trevon Diggs, Eric Kendricks, Marshawn Kneeland

Related players: Luke Schoonmaker

Ferguson didn't practice Tuesday and remains in protocol, while Rush and Lamb both logged limited sessions. Cooks was also limited. Harris expects Rush, Lamb and Cooks to all play on Thanksgiving against the Giants. If Ferguson is out, Schoonmaker makes for a nice option as a replacement TE in fantasy lineups.

Jones said there’s a good chance Brandin Cooks and Tyler Smith will be able to play Thursday. Trevon Diggs also has a chance. It’s “a little more of a long shot” for Zack Martin and Jake Ferguson.

Related players: CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, Luke Schoonmaker

Cooks practiced last week but ended up not playing in Week 12. Ferguson is in protocol and it seems like the early week game will keep him out once again. Lamb collected 12 targets to lead the team by far against the Commander and Schoonmaker and Tolbert each had four. It's no lock that Cooks steps right into a big role, even in a good matchup against the Giants on Thanksgiving. Schoonmaker would be worth a start for those needing TE help.

Cowboys list TE Jake Ferguson as out for Sunday’s game vs. Washington due to his concussion.

Related Players: Luke Schoonmaker

This puts Schoonmaker more or less in TE streaming consideration, but there are far better options this week, which puts him low on the totem pole.

CeeDee Lamb practiced today, per Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. That’s a good sign.

Lamb (back/foot) was limited in a walkthrough on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday.

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

Obviously good news for the Cowboys' potential in rolling out an NFL offense in Week 12. The floor is capped for Lamb but we should expect a ton of action funneling his way against the Commanders, which puts him on the WR1/2 fringe.

DE DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) worked out on a side field, marking his first on-field action since late September.

LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) also worked with rehab group.

No sign of TE Jake Ferguson (concussion).

Related Players: Luke Schoonmaker

It's not looking great for Ferguson's Week 12 availability, which puts Schoonmaker on TE streaming radars (sort of). Schoonmaker should be favored behind far better options, as the Cowboys offense looks disheveled for the rest of the season.