Texans Wide Receiver Expected Back Friday

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks was disgruntled following his team's inability to trade him at the deadline, but he's apparently willing to put his frustrations behind him. Head coach Lovie Smith communicated he expected the veteran to return to the team on Friday.

Lovie Smith: 'He's going to be in the building tomorrow. Brandin didn't play. I told you he'll be back in the building tomorrow.'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 4, 2022

Cooks sat out the Texans' Thursday Night Football 29-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after skipping practice all week. His absences were listed on the team's injury report as Not Injury Related - Personal.

Cooks had hoped to be moved off the relatively hopeless 1-6-1 Texans and onto a playoff contender at the trade deadline. The Texans failed to find compensation that suited them, much to Cooks' chagrin. The wide receiver was apparently so annoyed he hoped to be released, but he and the team have evidently settled their differences.

Cooks joined the Texans in 2020 via trade with the Los Angeles Rams. He rewarded his new team with two consecutive 1000-yard seasons, earning a two-year, $39.8 million extension this past offseason. The dead money penalty the Texans would incur by trading him likely contributed to their unwillingness to move him.

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