Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 47

The Rams are back from their week off. Sean McVay says Brandin Cooks’ meeting with concussion doctors in Pittsburgh went well, but the Rams don’t know when the WR will play again.

Related players: Josh Reynolds

If you followed this story before the Rams bye you know didn't sound promising for Cooks. McVay said he was concerned for Cooks as a human being, which should open eyes about his situation. Reynolds looks like he'll step in for Cooks as long as he remains out.

On Sunday in London, Rams receiver Brandin Cooks suffered his fourth concussion since Super Bowl LII, and his second in less than a month. On Tuesday, coach Sean McVay said that Cooks will see a specialist in Pittsburgh.

Related players: Josh Reynolds

McValy said Cooks is feeling good and aware of what's going on but he's concerned about Cooks as a human being. It doesn't sound great as far as Cooks coming back any time soon based on McVay's comments. The question now becomes whether or not any doctor will clear Cooks to return. Reynolds could see a boost in value if Cooks misses time. The Rams have a bye this week.

Los Angeles Rams receiver Brandin Cooks was placed into concussion protocol in the first half of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium.

Related players: Josh Reynolds

This is the second time this season that Cooks has been placed into concussion protocol. Reynolds replaced Cooks and would see more time again if Cooks isn't ready to go.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Bears put eight or more defenders in the box on five of Dalvin Cook’s 14 carries on Sunday, forcing him to face heavy fronts more frequently than all but six running backs in the league during Week 4.

Cook ran behind a fullback or an extra tight end on 10 of his 14 carries on Sunday. That’s part and parcel to the Vikings’ offense this season, and it’s helped open holes for Cook so far this year. It could, however, invite more defenders into the box, rather than forcing them to defend the run from a wider angle, especially as teams scheme to stop Cook and force the Vikings to throw the ball.

The author thinks if the Vikings don't start making teams pay for stacking the box, they are going to see a lot more of that. The Vikings won't face many fronts like the Bears have, according to the story, but Kirk Cousins and the passing game are going to have to help open things up for Cook - and his fantasy owners.

A revamped rushing attack featuring a healthy Dalvin Cook and coordinator Kevin Stefanski pulling the strings has been dominant, especially in the red zone. That’s where the Vikings have run for six touchdowns in nine drives, and Cousins has only completed one pass on five attempts for 11 yards and an interception.

The Vikings called 11 runs vs. 1 pass in the red zone against the Raiders last week. While it's been great news for Cook owners, the Vikings feel Cousins will eventually need to step up in the red zone and become more involved. For example, next up are the Bears, who have the fifth ranked run defense and is allowing 68.7 yards per game according to the story.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on his radio show Friday he held out hope of getting a deal done with Dak Prescott before the season opener. That didn’t happen, but it appears it will soon.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Sunday’s 35-17 victory over the Giants that he expects to have a deal with the quarterback in a matter of “days.”

“Oh, yes, I do know that we’ll get it done,” Jones said. “It would probably be fair to say it’ll be done on a imminent basis. Imminent. Without being real clear, bright lined. It’s not done. What’s imminent? Well, days. Days. Or something like that.”

With Ezekiel Elliott out of the way, the team is focusing on Prescott and then likely WR Amari Cooper after that. Prescott is coming off a great game where he threw for 405 yards and four TD passes and the first perfect passer rating in team history.

Cowboys Stephen Jones said Ezekiel Elliott will play.

“He came in in really good shape. Hats off to him,” Jones said. “Obviously it was hot outside yesterday so we had a lot of players working through that heat. I think he’s going to be ready to go … Barring something unforeseen, he’s ready to play against the Giants.”

Related players: Tony Pollard

Jones was not going to get into the workload Elliott will have Sunday against the New York Giants, the story said, but one would have to think Pollard gets a few more touches than normal. Still, we list Elliott fourth on our Week 1, PPR RB list.

Ahead of Ezekiel Elliott’s first team practice since June, I’m told the plan right now is about 20-25 reps on Sunday, rookie Tony Pollard behind him and FB Jamize Olawale as your best blitz pickup guy on 3rd downs. Things can always change but this is the plan heading into today.

The plan might be to hold Ezekiel Elliott to 20-25 snaps, but much will depend on his conditioning. If Elliott truly is near game shape, his time on the field could easily rise. This number is likely Elliott's floor this week, but also puts Tony Pollard into play as a flex option on the surface.