Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 40

Texans WR Brandin Cooks was limited in practice on Wednesday with a quad injury and is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Chiefs.

This is a slight improvement over yesterday when Cooks didn't practice at all. He looks like a game time decision for Thursday night. In the event Cooks sits out, Will Fuller would project for a heavy workload working in front of Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills.

The Texans traded for Brandin Cooks after trading DeAndre Hopkins. While Hopkins received a mega contract extension from the Cardinals on Tuesday, the Texans learned they made need a backup plan for Cooks for their season opener.

Two days before their game against the Chiefs, the Texans report Cooks did not practice. It raises a question about Cooks’ availability for Thursday.

The Texans will have Will Fuller, Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills as their top three receivers if Cooks can’t go. Cooks was limited on Monday with the quad injury.

Jerry Jones confirmed both Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott will be key parts of the passing attack going into Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, and then each game to follow.

"Out of the backfield, it should be interesting this year with more use of Pollard and Zeke as receiver types," Jones said to 105.3FM the Fan on Tuesday. "We've got that in and it's gonna be very effective. I'm sure excited about that area."

The offense is expected to be way more creative this year, which says a lot since the Cowboys were the league's top O in 2019. Going into 2020, the Cowboys truly have a chance to begin unleashing more two-halfback sets that utilize both Elliott and Pollard on the same play, the story said.

As soon as the Cowboys drafted CeeDee Lamb in April, it was clear they were going to be in 11 personnel most of the time. Going with three wide receivers (Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Lamb), one tight end (Blake Jarwin) and one running back (Ezekiel Elliott) gets their best personnel on the field at the same time.

It seems like good news for Elliott, running the ball in a spread out offense - and defense. As the story also said, it allows them to be less predictable at the same time. In the past, when the Cowboys would bring in an extra tight end or fullback, teams would load the box to stop Elliott. If opponents choose to put eight or nine in the box now, they’ll be at a significant disadvantage defending all of Dallas’ weapons on the perimeter.

Cowboys Executive Vice President and Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones believes in tight end Blake Jarwin. "Certainly [Jarwin is] getting to spread his wings now, whether it's Coach McCarthy, the offensive staff, his teammates, he keeps showing up out there. ... He's just -- he's really coming in to his own, and nothing would surprise me with him in terms of what his production could be this year," said Jones. "He just keeps getting better."

Jones also said that Jarwin's rapport with QB Dak Prescott is "outstanding."

Blake Jarwin has received overwhelming support from the Cowboys and fantasy players alike. Jarwin should be able to carve out a sizable role with Dallas as the deep and talented wide receiver and running back groups create space and demand attention.

During Thursday's media availability, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated that Ezekiel Elliott would be a 'primary focus' of the offense despite all the talent at wide receiver, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "Zeke needs to touch the football and he will in this offense," said McCarthy.

It will be interesting to see how touches are distributed in Dallas. There are a lot of mouths to feed and each player will want to 'get theirs.' Zeke is still be a priority first round pick.

The Athletic reports that Cowboys rookie WR CeeDee Lamb will make an immediate impact this season based on his performance and usage in training camp.

The article notes that Lamb has been used outside, in the slot, on jet sweeps, and even returning punts. Dallas has a ton of talent at the receiver position but Lamb should get enough opportunity to let his own abilities shine at times this season. If Lamb quickly builds rapport with QB Dak Prescott, he could easily outplay his ADP.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien said it’s clear Watson has “a really good grasp of our offense” and is “playing at a really high level.”

Watson said despite the changes -- and lack of practice time this offseason with new Texans receivers Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb -- he believes his “confidence is continuing to grow."

Obviously losing DeAndre Hopkins was a big deal, but the story said Watson is adjusting nicely. Watson is also entering his fourth year in the offense so there a greater level of comfort. Watson is ranked fourth on our QB list.

Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings and star RB Dalvin Cook broke off contract negotiations on Wednesday and that Cook is focused on playing the season out on his rookie deal.

Cook threatened to hold out during the offseason but the new CBA always made those threats seem toothless given the financial consequences he would face for doing so. The two sides worked to agree on a long-term deal but apparently could not find common ground, so Cook will play this season on the final year of his rookie contract and hope to cash in via free agency or the franchise tag next year. This does not affect Cook's fantasy outlook other than affirming that he has plenty of motivation to put up huge numbers again this season.