Jerry Jones provides status update on injured wide receiver Brandin Cooks vs Jets
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy struck a hopeful tone on Wednesday, saying that injured veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks has “got a chance” to play in Week 2 against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Reports later revealed that Cooks suffered an MCL sprain, throwing his status into question for the game. On Friday, team owner Jerry Jones cleared the air on the situation. Jones suggested the wide receiver will be a game-time decision, despite missing practice reps this week.
“We’re a long way from kickoff,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, via Jon Machota. “We don’t need the (practice) reps.”
Acquired in the offseason from the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round and 2024 sixth-round pick, Cooks made his Cowboys debut in the 40-0 Week 1 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. He came down with two receptions for 22 yards.
Despite the injury, Cooks told reporters this week that he’s “feeling good.” Also, if he plays, he won’t have “limitations.”
If he has to miss the game versus the Jets, the Cowboys will lean more heavily on second-stringers like Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin. Turpin had two catches on three targets for 11 yards in Week 1 while Tolbert didn’t record a stat.
Cowboys loving Cooks’ contributions
The Cowboys picked up Cooks along with veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore to add more experienced talent to both the WR and DB rooms. They’ve done nothing but win over hearts and minds in the locker room.
“Two excellent veterans,” McCarthy said this summer. “Just their veteran experience and their abilities speaks for itself. They’ve been everything we thought they would be. The professionalism is top-notch.
“They both have made impacts in their position rooms and obviously, me being with the offense and being around Brandin, just so happy he’s here. They both have made an impact already.”
Even though his success could potentially mean less shine on Michael Gallup, the two have hit it off.
“We love him in there,” Gallup said, via the Athletic. “I ain’t going to lie to you. He has been in there every day, working, just trying to win. That’s all he wants to do is just win, and he wants to do it as a group. He’s a great addition.”
The former Oregon State star came into the NFL after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft (20th overall), by the New Orleans Saints. Ever since, Cooks has been a reliable receiver looking for a permanent home in the league.
Before being traded by the Texans to the Cowboys, Cooks spent time with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams. Over the course of his NFL career, he’s amassed 632 receptions for 8,638 yards and 49 touchdowns.