ARLINGTON, Texas - During the holidays such as Thanksgiving, it's definitely possible to have too many cooks in the kitchen.
That is not the case for the Cowboys, who gladly welcomed their "Cooks" back to the field for Thursday's win over the Giants.
Brandin Cooks had been on injured reserve after he underwent a procedure on his knee after the Week 4 game with the Giants. He was activated this week to play after missing the last seven games.
"It's always frustrating when you're not playing the game that you love," Cooks said after the game. "I put so much work in. I'm so grateful by God's grace to be out there and compete with the team."
And it seemed as if Cooks felt right at home as well, catching the first offensive touchdown of the game - a 3-yard reception in the corner of the end zone to give Dallas a 20-10 lead.
"I just think it's a trust-throw with (Cooper Rush) to trust me to be able to go get it and run underneath it," said Cooks, who hadn't caught a touchdown pass since Week 1 at Cleveland.
But it was his diving catch on another third down to ice the game in final two minutes that also showed his value. That play gave the Cowboys a new first down and allowed them to run out the clock for the 27-20 win.
"I think that's huge to trust me in the situation like that," said Cooks, who had three receptions for 16 yards. "Coop trusts me and Coach trusts me with the play-call."
Cooks is likely easy to trust for his quarterback and coach. This is his 11th season, and fifth different team. He's caught passes for the likes of Drew Brees and Tom Brady, who called Thursday's game for FOX and called him "Cookie" throughout the broadcast, stating he was one of his favorite receivers to throw to.
And for someone who has been around as much as Cooks, he definitely shares the opinion of his teammates that aren't giving up, despite the 5-7 record.
"Always got to keep fighting," he said. "That's a testament to the guys and coaches we have in the locker room. We're going to keep fighting."