Former Oregon State Beavers star nears return for the beleaguered Dallas Cowboys

Brandin Cooks is eager to get back on the field as the Dallas Cowboys’ season continues to deteriorate.

Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy said the wide receiver is nearing a return to play after missing the past five games. The former Oregon State Beavers star developed an infection in his knee following a procedure following the Cowboys’ 20-15 Week 4 win over the New York Giants on September 26. He was placed on injured reserve.

“He’s getting close, communicating from the training room during our meeting,” McCarthy told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s feeling better, I know he’s doing everything he can to get there, but he’s one of our team leaders, let alone in the wide receiver room, so he’s definitely missed.”

Cooks, 31, has exceeded the minimum required number of missed games of four games missed while on injured reserve and is eligible to be activated at any time. The Cowboys haven’t opened his 21-day practice window, but he’s been working out on the sidelines during practices for a few weeks.

Cooks will certainly be missed on the field. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is the top option, followed by Jalen Tolbert, a third-year player who has seemingly replaced Cooks as the team’s second option at the position. The Cook may have lost a step, but he still has enough speed and route-running skills to be a threat.

The Cowboys (3-6) have lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who underwent season-ending hamstring surgery on Wednesday. Backup Cooper Rush, who struggled in his first start at quarterback on Sunday during the Cowboys’ 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, will start again when the Cowboys — losers of four straight games — face the Houston Texans.