- Hunter Luepke
- #40
- Team DAL
- Pos RB
- Status AActive
-
Sees increased role as receiver
Luepke carried the ball 12 times for 38 yards and caught 12 of 16 targets for 111 yards over 16 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: The second-year fullback saw more snaps on offense (304) than he did on special teams (170), a reversal of his usage as a rookie. Luepke didn't get many touches, but he did flash some ability as a pass catcher when called upon and set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. With the Dallas backfield in flux once again as Rico Dowdle heads into free agency, Luepke could see his touch volume increase once again in 2025, but he's still very unlikely to be much of a fantasy asset.
Published: Mon, Jan 13 at 9:51am by Rotowire.com
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One catch in Week 12 win
Luepke played 15 of the Cowboys' 66 snaps on offense and hauled in his lone target for a 10-yard reception in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Commanders.
Analysis: After sitting out the Cowboys' Week 11 loss to the Texans due to a calf injury, Luepke was cleared to return to action Week 12. The fullback continued to handle a limited role on offense, but he still came away with his 10th reception of the season. Luepke has yet to find the end zone across his 16 touches through the Cowboys' first 11 games of the campaign.
Published: Wed, Nov 27 at 7:02am by Rotowire.com
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Past calf issue
Luepke (calf) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Commanders, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Luepke appeared to be in jeopardy of the missing the Week 12 divisional matchup after opening the Cowboys' week of practice with an estimated DNP. However, he practiced in a limited capacity Thursday before logging a full session Friday, indicating that he's recovered from his calf injury. Expect the second-year pro from North Dakota State to serve as Dallas' top fullback Sunday.
Published: Fri, Nov 22 at 2:40pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to practice Thursday
Luepke (calf) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Joe Hoyt of AllDLLS.com reports.
Analysis: Thursday was the first time Luepke had practiced or played since Dallas' Week 10 loss to Philadelphia. It's a sign that the second-year fullback is progressing through his calf injury, and if he's able to practice Friday, he would have a good shot at playing in Sunday's NFC East clash against Washington. Luepke's return would give the Cowboys' running game a boost and open up space for Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn.
Published: Thu, Nov 21 at 2:56pm by Rotowire.com
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Sits out first Week 12 pratice
Luepke (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.
Analysis: The calf injury prevented Luepke from practicing all of last week before he was inactive for Monday's loss to the Texans. The fullback will have to return to practice Thursday or Friday to give himself a chance to play against the Commanders on Sunday.
Published: Wed, Nov 20 at 2:52pm by Rotowire.com
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Inactive for MNF
Luepke (calf) is inactive for Monday's Week 11 game against Houston, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Analysis: This was expected, as Luepke didn't practice at all this week and was deemed doubtful after the Cowboys' final practice. While the second-year fullback hasn't gotten more than four touches in any of his nine games so far this season, he's a key part of the team's running game as a blocker. Those duties could fall upon backup tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and/or Brevyn Spann-Ford with Luepke unable to suit up against the Texans.
Published: Mon, Nov 18 at 4:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Unlikely to play vs. Houston
Luepke (calf) did not practice Saturday and is listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Texans, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Luepke has been unable to practice all week due to a calf injury, and while he hasn't been ruled out for Monday's game, it's unlikely he will suit up. The Cowboys will likely turn to tight ends Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford to pick up additional run-blocking duties if Luepke is indeed sidelined.
Published: Sat, Nov 16 at 6:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Dealing with calf injury
Luepke (calf) did not practice Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Luepke played 23 snaps (14 on offense, nine on special teams) during the Cowboys' Week 10 loss to the Eagles, but it appears he may have picked up a calf injury in the process. The 24-year-old fullback will have two more chances to return to practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Texans. Luepke has logged six carries for 19 yards and nine catches (on 11 targets) for 95 yards through the first nine games of the regular season.
Published: Thu, Nov 14 at 3:38pm by Rotowire.com
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No touches in blowout loss
Luepke didn't carry the ball or draw a target while playing 22 of 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 47-9 loss to the Lions.
Analysis: The second-year fullback had received three touches in both of the previous two contests, but the Cowboys didn't look to get him involved even while the contest was mostly noncompetitive by the second half. Luepke has carried four times for 14 yards and has caught seven passes for 91 yards on eight targets through six games, but he'll continue to be deployed mainly as a blocker when he's on the field.
Published: Wed, Oct 16 at 9:35am by Rotowire.com
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Four touches in Thursday's win
Luepke carried the ball twice for eight yards and caught both his targets for 14 yards in Thursday's win over the Giants.
Analysis: While his contributions were modest, the four touches were a career high for Luepke, while the totes were his first of the season. The second-year fullback is seeing his role grow in the Dallas offense, and he's caught exactly two passes in three of four games to begin the season. The Cowboys' backfield struggles could open the door for Luepke to see even more volume, but at present he offers little fantasy value even in deep formats.
Published: Sat, Sep 28 at 7:24am by Rotowire.com
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Offers passing-game contributions
Luepke secured two of his three targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 28-25 loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: With quarterback Dak Prescott dropping back to pass 54 times while the Cowboys faced double-digit deficits for much of the game, Luepke was one of several Dallas pass catchers who saw more involvement than usual. The fullback still has yet to log a carry this season and brings most of his value as a blocker and contributor on special teams, but he's made the most of his five targets through three games, turning them into four receptions for 59 yards.
Published: Tue, Sep 24 at 6:39am by Rotowire.com
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Two grabs in Sunday's win
Luepke caught both his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's win over the Browns.
Analysis: The Cowboys list Luepke as a running back on their depth chart, but the second-year North Dakota State product usually lines up as a fullback. However, when Jake Ferguson (knee) left Sunday's game early, Luepke was deployed as an H-back and caught multiple passes for the first time in his career. While he's a long way from being the next Kyle Juszczyk, Luepke could continue to see a bigger role as a receiver while Ferguson is sidelined, putting him on the deep-league radar heading into a Week 2…read more
Published: Mon, Sep 9 at 7:51am by Rotowire.com
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Role could expand
Luepke has been used more often as a tight end or H-back so far in training camp, Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com reports.
Analysis: An undrafted rookie out of North Dakota State last season, Luepke surprisingly won a spot on the 53-man roster and played in all 17 regular-season games plus the Cowboys' wild-card loss to the Packers, but he saw most of his action on special teams rather than at fullback. With the Dallas backfield likely to be a committee in 2024, Luepke could find more snaps as a lead blocker, pass catcher and occasional short-yardage option, but he's still unlikely to provide much fantasy production.
Published: Tue, Aug 6 at 7:55am by Rotowire.com
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Cleared to play Saturday
Luepke (thigh) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game versus Detroit, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Luepke began Week 17 prep labeled as limited in Dallas' walkthrough due to a thigh injury, but he's been able to practice in full each of the two subsequent days. As such, he should be able to suit up Saturday against the Lions. Cowboys backup running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) has been ruled out for that contest, leaving Luepke and Deuce Vaughn as the remaining healthy ball carriers behind starter Tony Pollard. Practice-squad member Malik Davis is also an option, though he'd need to be signed to…read more
Published: Thu, Dec 28 at 2:51pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to full practice
Luepke (thigh) practiced in full Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Luepke was estimated as a limited participant during Tuesday's walk-through due to a thigh injury, but his full participation Wednesday suggests that the issue is minor. The fullback logged a season-high three touches in last Sunday's loss to Miami, though he's primarily deployed as a blocker. Luepke should be fine to play Saturday versus Detroit as long as he doesn't suffer a setback during the remainder of the practice week.
Published: Wed, Dec 27 at 4:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Considered limited Tuesday
Luepke (thigh) was considered to be a limited participant at the Cowboys' walk-through Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Luepke appears to have left Sunday's 22-20 loss to the Dolphins a little worse for wear, opening the week on the injury report. The fullback will look to increase his workload at the team's final two practice sessions ahead of Saturday's high-stakes matchup with Detroit.
Published: Tue, Dec 26 at 4:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Gets fourth carry of season
Luepke played four of the Cowboys' 57 snaps on offense and carried once for three yards in Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: Luepke picked up a first down on his third-and-one rushing attempt on the Cowboys' first drive of the third quarter. The rookie fullback has carried just four times and has drawn only three targets through his first 14 games, accounting for 26 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Published: Wed, Dec 20 at 8:19am by Rotowire.com
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Handles minor blocking role Week 6
Luepke didn't log any carries or targets while playing seven of the Cowboys' 64 snaps on offense in Monday's 20-17 win over the Chargers.
Analysis: The Cowboys have kept the undrafted rookie fullback active for each of their first six contests, but he's failed to record any offensive statistics outside of Weeks 3 and 4, when he carried three times for 13 yards and a touchdown and added a 12-yard reception. He'll continue to function mostly as a blocker on the handful of snaps he gets in a given week.
Published: Wed, Oct 18 at 12:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Heavy workload in preseason finale
Luepke rushed the ball 15 times for 58 yards in Saturday's 31-16 preseason win over the Raiders. He added five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Luepke joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. With much of the team's backfield resting in the preseason finale, he got the opportunity to shoulder a heavy workload and was the first back to record a carry. Luepke averaged only 3.9 yards per carry, though his work as a pass catcher may convince the Cowboys to consider him for a spot on the practice squad.
Published: Sat, Aug 26 at 10:03pm by Rotowire.com
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