George Pickens Injury Update: Is Cowboys WR Playing Today vs. Colts?

It’s been tough sledding for the Dallas Cowboys (3-5), and injuries are causing more concern alongside deflating play. Today, the Cowboys travel to take on the Indianapolis Colts (2-6) at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX, and Dallas is favored by 4.5 points for the spread on PrizePicks. 

Multiple starters are questionable on Sunday, November 8, including WR George Pickens. He was a limited participant at practice throughout the week, and he’s now in danger of missing his first game as a Dallas Cowboy due to injury.  

Let’s look at the latest George Pickens injury update and if he will play today. Plus, we’ll look at how his status impacts Cowboys vs. Colts picks for PrizePicks. 

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George Pickens Injury Update: Will Pickens Play vs. Colts in NFL Week 9?

Following a red-hot start from the offense to begin the season with 30.5 PPG, the Cowboys’ offense has been extremely inconsistent over the last month. 

The unit logged 16 and 13 points, followed by a dominant outing in a 38-21 win vs. the Eagles. Last week, Dallas collapsed in a 33-30 loss vs. the Cardinals. The defense managed to give up 27 points over the final 16 minutes of regulation. 

While that loss may not point to the offense, don’t let that fool you. The Cowboys recorded only 261 total yards and 3.6 yards per play vs. the Cardinals, and that featured George Pickens receiving only 4 targets for 2 catches and 48 receiving yards.

With Dallas 3-5, it’s been listed as a potential seller at the NFL trade deadline, which is on this upcoming Tuesday. Pickens is playing on a one-year franchise tag, putting his name in trade rumors. 

This adds to the intrigue for his ability to play in today’s game. Will Pickens play in what could be his final game as a Cowboy?

However, there’s been multiple reports that Pickens remains content in Dallas, and the Cowboys do not seem eager to move the wideout either.

Heading into Sunday’s game, Pickens remains questionable and is trending toward a game-time decision. On Friday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer labeled the Cowboys WR as “hopeful” to play vs. the Colts.

Let’s look at how his status shifts projections for PrizePicks.

Cowboys Fantasy Football Outlook If Pickens Is Out

Alongside Pickens, Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson (ankle) is also questionable, though he’s seen his snap shares fall to 53.8% and 55.9% in his previous full appearances. Pickens is the most significant potential absence for this offense today. 

There’s been plenty of discourse about getting the Pickens the ball, and that’s fueled by 5.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 52.5 receiving yards per game over his last two. 

From Weeks 3 to 6, Pickens generated 9.5 targets, 6.0 catches, and 90.0 receiving yards, producing similar numbers to last season’s outstanding 8.1 targets, 5.5 catches, and 84.1 receiving yards per contest. 

Regardless of his last two performances, Pickens still rarely leaves the field on passing downs with an 83.2% route share (22nd) and 277 routes run (third), per PlayerProfiler. He has 62 targets (13th) on the season and still claims 51 first-read targets (10th).

Yes, Pickens has taken a back seat to WR CeeDee Lamb’s 709 receiving yards through eight games, but this would still be a significant loss for the Cowboys. That would also aid a Colts secondary that allows 7.9 yards per passing attempt (27th).

Frankly, we haven’t seen this Cowboys offense without Pickens since he joined the team, so that adds an element of surprise. Dallas WRs Ryan Flournoy and Jonathan Mingo would likely step into elevated roles, and Flournoy sports 5.3 target, 4.3 catches, and 59.5 receiving yards per game over his last four.

According to PrizePicks, Pickens is projected to have 57.5 receiving yards if he plays, compared to Flournoy’s 47.5 projected receiving yards vs. the Colts. On Saturday, the Cowboys elevated WR Jordan Hudson from the practice squad, implying some preparation for a potential absence in the receiving room. 

If Pickens is out, Dallas may lean on its run game more often. It stumbled to 2.4 yards per carry last week, but this unit needs more balance with a 38.87% rush play rate (25th), and this would help keep a struggling defense off the field. 

Furthermore, Indianapolis allows a dreadful 4.9 YPC (30th) and a 41.5% rush success rate (20th). Cowboys RB Javonte Williams is projected for 73.5 rushing yards vs. the Colts on Sunday. 

Will Dallas get back on track today? Flournoy and Williams are two potential targets for your picks on PrizePicks if Pickens cannot go.

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George Pickens has yet to miss a game in his Cowboys tenure, but that may change on Sunday vs. the Colts. Dallas could look to run the rock, and Ryan Flournoy should see more work as a WR2 to CeeDee Lamb if Pickens is out.

Don’t wait until kickoff — make your Cowboys vs. Colts picks on PrizePicks! You can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 36 states. With PrizePicks, just pick players and predict More or Less on their stats!

Keep it locked in here with the Playbook for continued NFL picks, predictions, and news all the way through Super Bowl LXI.