Unexpected Health Challenge Sidelines Dallas Cowboys’ Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys’ Brandin Cooks Battles Post-Surgical Infection

According to sources, Cooks will be sidelined for an indeterminate period due to an infection in his right knee. The health issue arose following a surgical procedure that the player underwent last week after their win against the Giants. The infection manifested upon Cooks’ return to Dallas, necessitating a second surgery to eradicate the infection. This procedure was conducted by the Cowboys’ medical team over the weekend.

Brandin Cooks’ Previous Knee Issues

Cooks, who is 31 years old, had been managing a knee problem since the training camp. However, this did not deter him from his practice or game routines. He underwent a similar surgical procedure during the summer training camp without any complications.

In the season’s initial four games, Cooks made nine catches, covering 91 yards, and scored one touchdown. Of these, four catches and the touchdown were during the season’s first match against the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys have been striving to fully utilize Cooks’ potential on the offensive side since they acquired him from the Houston Texans in 2023.

Brandin Cooks’ Impact on the Dallas Cowboys

Cooks, a seasoned player with six 1,000-yard seasons with four different teams (New Orleans, New England, Los Angeles Rams, Houston), has contributed significantly to the Cowboys. He recorded 54 catches, covering 657 yards, and achieved eight touchdowns in the last season. His experience and skills have been instrumental in mentoring the wide receivers and the entire locker room.

With Cooks’ absence, the Cowboys will have to rely on relatively inexperienced receivers behind CeeDee Lamb, who has made 20 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns this season. The team has Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, and Ryan Flournoy, yet to be active this season, on the 53-man roster. These players have collectively made 21 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns.

Financial Implications for the Dallas Cowboys

The last in-season trade for a wide receiver by the Cowboys was in 2018, when they brought on board Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a first-round pick. With $22.25 million in salary cap room, according to NFLPA figures, the Cowboys are financially positioned to make a similar move. However, they plan to retain most of this amount for 2025, to accommodate the dead money on expiring contracts involving Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Cooks.