NFL Player News

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke earlier this week about Cook calling him “in position” to play Sunday. Maybe he’ll be part of Dallas’ game plan coming out of the bye week, but it’s more likely the 29-year-old Cook gets just enough work to take away from Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott’s fantasy value.

Three limited showings in practice this week were not enough for Spears to return to action after missing the team’s Week 7 loss to the Bills, paving the way for Tony Pollard to again serve in a borderline workhorse role after playing on 89% of the team’s offensive snaps a week ago. The matchup is about as difficult as they come against the pass-funnel Lions, meaning fantasy managers might be forced to look elsewhere for running back production in Week 8.

Lawrence has been managing a slew of injuries this season but has yet to miss a game, contributing to a Giants defense now allowing the most yards per carry in the league (5.4). Even so, Lawrence remains one of the better pure run-stoppers in the league and would leave the Giants in rough shape should he be forced to miss a contest this season.

Burns had a tumultuous week of practice and was downgraded to a ‘DNP’ Friday but will ultimately play against the Steelers for a Giants defense near the league-lead in pressure rate and sacks. Burns went into Week 7 listed as questionable but also suited up in that game.

Cook joined the team three weeks ago but has yet to find his way onto the active game-day roster, with the team’s Week 7 bye likely affording the veteran enough time to master the offense. It remains unclear how Cook will slot into the backfield rotation but he likely won’t have to do much to supplant Ezekiel Elliott as the primary change of pace option behind Rico Dowdle.

Patterson returned to practice this week after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury but never managed more than a limited showing, resulting in the veteran running back and kick returner drawing the doubtful tag. The return of Jaylen Warren from his own injury two weeks ago has forced a near-even timeshare in the Pittsburgh backfield, sapping a solid portion of the fantasy value held by Najee Harris in Patterson and Warren’s combined absences.

Wilson came into the league with some buzz on a team with no clear pass-catching options behind alpha wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth but has played just five offensive snaps all season while battling numerous injuries. He can safely be left on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.

Homer played a combined 31 offensive snaps the first two games of the season before suffering a hamstring injury that required a stint on injured reserve. Primarily a special teams contributor, Homer is unlikely to return significant fantasy value in a backfield led by D’Andre Swift. On that note, Swift leads the league in expected fantasy points per game over the previous month of play.

Brooks’ professional debut will now have to wait until Week 9 as he attempts to return from a torn ACL suffered in college. Fantasy managers have been waiting on pins and needles for Brooks to see NFL game action after Chuba Hubbard’s robust workload in his absence.

There were some uncertainties regarding Robinson’s status on Friday but the starting tackle has no officially clear protocol and was removed from the team’s injury report for their Week 6 game against the Packers. Expect the veteran tackle to immediately reenter the starting lineup on Trevor Lawrence’s blind side.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said the goal is to get Daniels as many walk-through reps as you can. He’ll also go through meetings and have treatment on his rib cartilage injury. Daniels’ status for Sunday remains up in the air as he’s still listed as questionable and is certainly a game-time decision. While Daniels wasn’t spotted by beat reporters during the open portion of practice on Friday, Quinn insisted that he practiced. While participating in walk-through could be a good sign for Daniels’ availability, we won’t know if he’s playing until Washington releases its inactives 90 minutes before the game.