Is Brandin Cooks playing tonight? Cowboys WR's status explored for MNF vs Bengals

Being a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys has to be one of the most frustrating things to do in the 2024 NFL season. The team struggled with Dak Prescott as their franchise quarterback, but the situation became even worse when he was lost for the season and Cooper Rush became the starter.

Brandin Cooks has not produced the expected impact as WR2 when he signed for the team, with just 764 receiving yards since the start of the 2023 season. However, his 2024 season has been affected by injuries and his name was present in this week's injury report. However, fans should not be worried.

Is Brandin Cooks playing today?

The wide receiver is set to feature for the Dallas Cowboys during Week 14's Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals.

He's off the injury report since Saturday. Cooks was listed initially with a knee problem, but he had limited practice on Thursday just to give his body a bit of rest, something common for NFL players to do with veteran players. He practiced fully on Friday and Saturday and has no injury designations.

He missed seven games during the 2024 season due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 4 against the New York Giants. A rest day could also be part of the plan as he ramps up.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson are also confirmed to play on Monday, giving Cooper Rush a full healthy day with his top three receiving options.

Which Cowboys players will miss the game?

Guard Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and safety Juanyeh Thomas (knee) are confirmed absences against the Cincinnati Bengals.

They have already been listed as OUT on Saturday's injury report, while tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle/knee), linebacker Nick Vigil (foot) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (cornerback) are all listed as questionable.

The Cowboys, who are 5-7, are not having the best of the seasons, but with a win against Cincinnati, they would be two games behind the Washington Commanders. With four weeks to go and a head-to-head game against the Commanders, they still have chances, even if they're small.