Cowboys Rumors: Brandin Cooks Out vs. Steelers with Knee Infection After Surgery

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks will be sidelined for Week 5 "and potentially longer" after his right knee became infected following a procedure last week, per ESPN's Todd Archer.

The Cowboys are traveling to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road this Sunday.

According to WFAA's Ed Werder, Cooks is expected to miss one to three weeks.

Cooks underwent the operation on his knee in New York following the Cowboys' win over the New York Giants last Thursday, per Archer.

Jane Slater of NFL Network reported details on the situation:

The wide receiver has made nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown through four games during the Cowboys' 2-2 start to the 2024 season.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed on Wednesday that Cooks would sit out against the Steelers.

McCarthy said receivers Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and KaVontae Turpin would get more opportunities in Cooks' absence on Sunday, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.

"We'll be in good shape there," McCarthy said.

The loss of Cooks add to a series of consequential injuries suffered by Cowboys players during the Week 4 win over the Giants.

The Cowboys placed starting defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence on the injured reserve after he suffered a foot injury during the victory that will sideline him for at least four games, and McCarthy said the team is also expecting to lose edge rusher Micah Parsons to a high left ankle sprain for at least one game.

Cooks, who ranked second only to All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb with eight receiving touchdowns last season, was off to a slow start to the 2024 campaign prior to the reported knee procedure.

He had made nine catches on 19 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown, with his lone score coming during the Cowboys' Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Since that outing, Cooks has yet to make more than two catches in a game. He was held to just one reception on four targets during Sunday's win over the Giants.

The Cowboys could be hoping Cooks will be able to take on a larger role after addressing the reported problem with his knee. Until then the team will continue relying on Lamb, while giving more targets to third-year wideout Tolbert, in Cooks' absence.