The Dallas Cowboys will be without a key weapon for at least the next four weeks, as wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Cooks, who was acquired by the Cowboys in a trade from the Houston Texans in the offseason, had a solid start to the season, but his absence will put even more pressure on the team's top receiver, CeeDee Lamb.

Impact of Cooks' Absence on Dallas Offense

Cooks' absence will be felt most acutely in the Cowboys' passing game. After three wins to start the season, the Cowboys have lost their last two games, and their offense has struggled to find consistency, particularly in the running game. In fact, the Cowboys rank last in the league in rushing yards per game, with a paltry 301 yards in four games.

With Cooks out, the Cowboys will need to rely even more heavily on Lamb to carry the load on offense. Lamb has been a productive receiver, and he had his best game of the season in the Cowboys' last victory over the New York Giants. He caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown against the Giants, showcasing his ability to be a reliable target for quarterback Dak Prescott.

Cowboys Need to Find Ways to Make Up for Cooks' Absence

The Cowboys will have to find other ways to compensate for Cooks' absence, including finding more ways to get their running game going. Ezekiel Elliott has been a consistent running back for the Cowboys, but he has struggled this season, averaging only 2.7 yards per carry. The Cowboys will need to find a way to get Elliott going, as well as to find other receivers who can step up and make plays.

First Test Without Cooks: Steelers Showdown

The Cowboys' first game without Cooks will be a crucial one. They face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 3-1 this season and are currently sitting atop the AFC North Division. The Steelers are coming off a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but they are a tough opponent, and they will be looking to bounce back.

The Cowboys will need to play at their best to beat the Steelers, and they will need to find a way to overcome the loss of Cooks. It will be a tough task, but one that they are capable of accomplishing if they can find a way to make up for his absence.

Looking Ahead

The Cowboys have a tough schedule ahead of them, and they will need to find a way to stay competitive even without Cooks. They have a number of talented players on their roster, and they will need to find a way to come together and play as a team in order to overcome this adversity. While Cooks' absence will certainly be felt, the Cowboys have the potential to still have a successful season, and they will need to focus on playing their best football each week in order to reach their goals.

The Cowboys' next game against the Steelers will be a good test of how they will handle the absence of Cooks. If they can find a way to win, it will show that they are still a strong team, even without one of their top players. However, if they lose, it could signal that they are in for a difficult season. Only time will tell how the Cowboys will fare without Cooks, but the upcoming weeks will be important in determining their trajectory for the rest of the season.