BRANDIN COOKS NEWS

Getting healthier Coach Bill O'Brien said Monday that the health of Cooks (quadriceps) is "on the upswing," Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.

Impact Cooks managed to play through his quad injury during Thursday's season-opening loss to the Chiefs, though he was limited to a modest two catches for 20 yards on five targets. The veteran receiver looks in line to increase his practice workload leading up to Sunday's tilt against the Ravens, but fantasy managers may have difficulty trusting Cooks in a tough defensive matchup unless he's able to fully shed his injury. To look on the bright side of Cooks' lackluster Houston debut, it's encouraging that Deshaun Watson was willing to look his way often, despite limited offseason opportunities to build chemistry and the wideout being hampered.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Records two catches in debut Cooks (quadriceps) secured two of five targets for 20 yards in the Texans' 34-20 loss to the Chiefs on Thursday.

Impact The offseason acquisition ended up making a modest impact in his Texans debut, although he did finish second on the team in targets to Will Fuller. Likely working against Cooks in his Texans debut was both the quadriceps injury that had him carrying a questionable tag into the day, as well as the limited opportunities he's had thus far to build chemistry with quarterback Deshaun Watson. Fantasy managers can at least take solace in the fact Watson didn't hesitate to look Cooks' way a fair amount of times right from their first game together. The veteran receiver will now also have some valuable extra time to address both his recovering leg and synergy with his signal-caller before a Week 2 home matchup against the Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 20.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Johnson shines as Texans fall to Chiefs in season opener

The Houston Texans got what they wanted from David Johnson and the rest of their newcomers in their debuts

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Latest: Texans lead Chiefs 7-0 in NFL opener

David Johnson ran 19 yards for a touchdown to give the Houston Texans a 7-0 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs after the first quarter in the opening game of the NFL season

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Suiting up in season opener Cooks (quadriceps) is active for Thursday's game at Kansas City.

Impact Cooks entered Week 1 prep with a quad injury that wasn't disclosed until Monday. He proceeded to follow an LP/DNP/LP practice regimen and received a questionable tag for Thursday's season opener, when he tested his quad prior to the game (per Aaron Reiss of The Athletic) and got the all-clear to play. Cooks may have some limitations, and as a result some of his usual reps may filter to Kenny Stills or Randall Cobb.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Optimism for Thursday night There's "optimism" that Cooks (quad) will be able to play Thursday night against Kansas City, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact If that's the case, it remains to be seen how close to a full workload Cooks will be ready to handle, but if he does suit up he'll be part of a revamped Houston wideout corps that's moving on from DeAndre Hopkins, who logged 150 targets with the team in 2019. Also in the mix for looks on that front are Will Fuller, Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable due to ongoing quad issue The quad injury that has Cooks listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Chiefs is related to an issue that he managed during training camp, Aaron Reiss of The A...

Impact The report notes that Cooks was "in and out of camp" and "barely participated" in 11-on-11 work in that span. With that in mind, Reiss suspects that between the wideout's ongoing quad issue and the reduced volume of practice reps he's had with QB Deshaun Watson, Cooks could be limited Thursday night, if he's made active by the Texans. In the event that Cooks sits the opener out, Kenny Stills' profile in the team's Week 1 game plan would likely expand.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Brandin Cooks Injury Update Could Be Huge Boost for Will Fuller Fantasy Outlook in Week 1 While the loss of DeAndre Hopkins gives Will Fuller a nice boost in fantasy football value for the 2020 season, the addition of Brandin Cook...

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Fantasy Injury Updates: Is Brandin Cooks playing Thursday night? Is Brandin Cooks playing Thursday night for the Texans against the Chiefs? We have the latest injury updates ahead of the official active/in...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Officially questionable for Week 1 Cooks (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Chiefs.

Impact Cooks upgraded to a limited practice Wednesday after having been held out entirely the day prior, but his status for Thursday's regular-season debut still remains up in the air. The 26-year-old stands to handle a starting role alongside Will Fuller and Randall Cobb if he's able to suit up, but if Cooks is forced to miss any time Kenny Stills will pick up the slack.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other

This most unusual NFL season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs facing the Houston Texans before about 17,000 fans at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits out Tuesday Cooks (quadriceps) didn't take part in Tuesday's practice.

Impact Cooks' absence was forecast when he didn't take the field for the open portion of the session, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. After fitting in a limited session Monday, Cooks took a step back one day later, but ultimately his listing on Wednesday's injury report will be telling for his Week 1 status against the Chiefs. In the event he's inactive, the Texans will go with Will Fuller, Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb in three-wide sets.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not spotted at practice Cooks (quadriceps) wasn't present during the part of Tuesday's practice open to the media, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Without the benefit of a preseason, Cooks' quad issue wasn't revealed until the Texans were required to post their first injury report of Week 1 on Monday. Apparently, he's been dealing with the concern since training camp, and his reps have been capped as a result. Tuesday's report will reveal whether Cooks was able to get on the practice field at all just two days before the season opener at Kansas City.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Injury Updates: Brandin Cooks, A.J. Green, Golden Tate, more affect drafts, Week 1 rankings Brandin Cooks, A.J. Green, Golden Tate, and Breshad Perriman are dealing with injuries heading into Week 1 of the NFL season, while fantasy...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Dealt with injury during camp Cooks (quadriceps) has been managing his injury since training camp, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Cooks' quad issue only came to light via Monday's first injury report of the season, but Cooks has reportedly been limited by it throughout camp. Wilson notes that the injury kept Cooks from participating in much full-team work, and that the Texans have been managing his workload. Houston has a more than capable No. 4 receiver in Kenny Stills, so it wouldn't completely hamper the offense to continue taking a cautious approach to Cooks' recovery. Cooks has two more chances to practice fully before Thursday's regular-season opener against the Chiefs.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Appears on injury report Cooks was limited during Monday's practice due to a quadriceps injury.

Impact Cooks' quad injury is a new development, but there's not yet any real reason to worry about his availability for Thursday's regular-season opener against Kansas City. The 26-year-old field stretcher will have two more opportunities to resume practicing in full and completely shed his injury tag. In the event that Cooks were limited at all Week 1, Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills would likely be the primary beneficiaries of increased snaps alongside Will Fuller.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chemistry with QB Houston offensive coordinator Tim Kelly attributed the chemistry Cooks has with quarterback Deshaun Watson to their offseason work together.

Impact "First of all, I think they got some work together this offseason by themselves. That just goes to show the type of pros both those two. In their quote-unquote off time they made sure they were able to link up and get some work throwing," said Kelly. The offensive coordinator also mentioned Cooks' active participation in meetings. Cooks is expected to start opposite Will Fuller when the Texans open the season against the Chiefs.

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Texans look to take next step in 2020 behind QB Watson

Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson returns to lead a Texans team that blew a huge lead at Kansas City in the divisional playoff round and take steps forward in 2020

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rams must be resourceful after offseason personnel losses

The Los Angeles Rams are moving into new SoFi Stadium this season with a team in transition

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brandin Cooks discusses Texans' offensive potential in 2020 Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks joins

AUGUST 23, 2020 • NFL.COM

Shrugs off concussion history Cooks is not worried about his concussion history, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Cooks said he has "zero" concerns about his concussion history. The wideout has five known concussions during his six-year NFL career, three of them coming in the last two seasons. Despite that, he's only missed two games since 2015. Cooks enters a crowded wideout position in Houston, but he is expected to be a starter opposite Will Fuller. He caught 42 passes for 583 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games last season, the lowest output since 2015.

AUGUST 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Transcripts: Brandin Cooks Press Conference (8-6-2020) Houston Texans WR Brandin Cooks spoke with the media on August 6th.

AUGUST 6, 2020 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Declared healthy by coach Coach Bill O'Brien confirmed that Fuller has recovered from offseason groin surgery, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports. "We're excited about having him for 16 games," O...

Impact With Fuller fully recovering from his January surgery, the speedy wideout -- who has yet to play a full NFL slate -- will look to stay on the field and take advantage of the opportunity presented to him by the offseason trade of DeAndre Hopkins. Though fellow deep threats Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks are also in the mix, along with slot man Randall Cobb, Fuller is a candidate to snag a good chunk of the targets vacated by Hopkins. In the process, the 2016 first-rounder has a good chance to rekindle the TD-chemistry that he's enjoyed with QB Deshaun Watson when the two have both been available.

JULY 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

McVay, Rams seek return to playoffs after big staff changes

The Los Angeles Rams head into training camp after an offseason of heavy turnover on their roster and coaching staff

JULY 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Texans look to contend for title with new-look offense

Coach Bill O’Brien knows that simply getting to the playoffs or winning a first-round game is not enough for the Houston Texans anymore

JULY 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS