Brandin Cooks Injury Update Improves Fantasy Value in Week 12 After Clearing Concussion Protocol

Brandin Cooks hasn't seen the field in close to a month due to a concussion he suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. But it looks like the Los Angeles Rams' wide receiver will be making his return in Week 12 on "Monday Night Football" versus the Baltimore Ravens.

If Cooks suits up, he instantly becomes a starting WR in fantasy football this week.

Brandin Cooks was a full participant in Thursday's practice ahead of MNF.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 22, 2019

Cooks has been up and down from a fantasy perspective this season, posting two games with at least 15 fantasy points and five games with less than 10. Of course, Cooks' value is inextricably tied to the play of Jared Goff, who has had back-to-back weeks with less than six fantasy points. However, that could have something to do with Cooks not being in the lineup.

Unfortunately, the wideout draws a tough matchup in his return against a Baltimore defense that is surrendering 14.6 points per game (PPG) since Week 6. The Ravens are in the middle of the pack when it comes to giving up fantasy points to WRs (17th) and they're even tougher on quarterbacks, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the QB position.

Rams’ HC Sean McVay said he expects WR Brandin Cooks; who has missed the past two games after being in concussion protocol, to return for next Monday night’s game against the Ravens.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2019

Even so, Cooks' value will get a boost if Robert Woods misses his second straight game, due to an undisclosed personal issue. Woods has a 20 percent target share for the Rams, so if he's sidelined Goff could be looking for Cooks a lot more frequently on Monday night.

While Cooks didn't crack the top 36 in our Week 12 fantasy football PPR rankings, he looks like a boom-or-bust asset as a low-end WR3 or FLEX play this week.

Join FanDuel Sportsbook Today. New users get a risk-free bet up to $500. Join Now.

Max Staley is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Max Staley also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username mstaley1212. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.