Report: Brandon Cooks not expected to play Sunday vs. Jets with knee sprain

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be without veteran receiver Brandin Cooks for Week 2 against the New York Jets Sunday.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cooks remains hampered by a knee sprain which kept him out of practice this week. With Cooks sidelined, the Cowboys will lean more heavily on Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin. Turpin had two receptions on three targets for 11 yards in Week 1. Tolbert failed to get on the stat sheet.

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. Cooks came down with two receptions for 22 yards.

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. Since, he’s been a reliable receiver who’s been 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.

Cowboys to be without several key players against Jets

The Friday injury report revealed that multiple players are on the mend, including right guard Zack Martin. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Martin took every rep Friday, a positive sign in terms of his status for Sunday.

Although Martin appears good to go, the Cowboys will likely miss offensive lineman Tyler Smith (hamstring) – he’s listed as doubtful. Team owner Jerry Jones revealed Friday that Smith is the least likely to play of all the banged-up players. Safety Donovan Wilson is doubtful with a calf injury, however, he donned full pads for the first time this week.

Wilson started every game in 2022, recording 101 tackles (77 solo), 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Smith, meanwhile, started all 17 games as a rookie, performing admirably. The 22-year-old earned a 71.4 overall grade and allowed six sacks in 1,144 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.