Dallas Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks to miss time for personal reasons

Star Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is taking a temporary leave of absence from training camp.

On Tuesday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that Cooks will miss the team's final two padded practices ahead of their final preseason game. According to Cowboys beat writer Nick Harris of dallascowboys.com, McCarthy said the absence is due to "a positive personal matter."

Cooks is currently a bit banged up with knee soreness, according to Cowboys insider Patrick Walker. However, this absence is unrelated to any injury, and there is reportedly no concern about a long-term absence.

Dallas is already short on talent in the wide receiver room, with CeeDee Lamb still holding out of camp as he waits to sign a contract extension with the Cowboys.

Now with Cooks out of commission, Cowboys fans will get their fill of backups Saturday when Dallas takes on the Los Angeles Chargers in its final preseason game.

Assuming Cooks is healthy enough for Week 1, he should be an integral member of Dallas' offensive attack. Though the veteran hasn't eclipsed 1,000 yards in a couple of seasons, he remains an explosive weapon in the passing game. During the 2023 NFL campaign, Cooks caught 54 passes for 657 yards and eight touchdowns.