The Dallas Cowboys will face the Washington Commanders in Week 12. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding WR Brandin Cooks.
Is Brandin Cooks Playing in Week 12?
The Dallas Cowboys opened WR Brandin Cooks’ IR-return window on Wednesday. Cooks has not played since September while battling a knee injury.
The 31-year-old was limited for every practice this week as he looks to return from a knee injury. He’s officially listed as questionable for Week 12.
“My mindset is to go out there as if I ain’t lose a step,” Cooks said, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I’ve been putting in the work with the training staff, the strength coaches. That’s my mindset going into it. Let’s go.”
Cooks posted nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in four games before going down. While he could overtake Jalen Tolbert to become Dallas’ WR2 down the stretch, there’s not much fantasy appeal in a Cowboys offense helmed by Cooper Rush or Trey Lance.
We’ll continue to monitor the Cowboys’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Brandin Cooks’ Fantasy Outlook
Brandin Cooks (knee) hasn’t played since September, and while news out of Dallas seems to be cautiously optimistic on the status of the veteran receiver, fantasy managers need not worry.
In 2023, Cooks posted the worst yards per route run rate of his career, and nothing in the early going this season — in a Dak Prescott-led offense — suggested that a rebound was imminent. With the Cowboys’ season a lost one and Cooks’ contract done at the end of the season, neither party has enough motivation to pique the interest of fantasy managers in the slightest.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 12 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Brandin Cooks’ Fantasy Points Projection in Week 12
Cooks is projected to score 0 points.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Brandin Cooks’ Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship WR PPR Rankings
1) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) Terry McLaurin | WAS (at PHI)
3) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
4) Khalil Shakir | BUF (at KC)
5) Xavier Worthy | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Hollywood Brown | KC (vs. BUF)
7) DeAndre Hopkins | KC (vs. BUF)
8) Keon Coleman | BUF (at KC)
9) Dyami Brown | WAS (at PHI)
10) Mack Hollins | BUF (at KC)
11) Amari Cooper | BUF (at KC)
12) Curtis Samuel | BUF (at KC)
13) Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS (at PHI)
14) JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC (vs. BUF)
15) Jahan Dotson | PHI (vs. WAS)
16) Jamison Crowder | WAS (at PHI)
17) Luke McCaffrey | WAS (at PHI)
18) Justin Watson | KC (vs. BUF)
19) Johnny Wilson | PHI (vs. WAS)
20) Parris Campbell | PHI (vs. WAS)
21) Nikko Remigio | KC (vs. BUF)
22) Ainias Smith | PHI (vs. WAS)
