Cowboys' Hunter Luepke: No touches in blowout loss
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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.
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.
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Cowboys' Hunter Luepke: Four touches in Thursday's win
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Luepke carried the ball twice for eight yards and caught both his targets for 14 yards in Thursday's win over the Giants.
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.
Luepke secured two of his three targets for 41 yards in Sunday's 28-25 loss to the Ravens.
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.
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Cowboys' Hunter Luepke: Two grabs in Sunday's win
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Luepke caught both his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's win over the Browns.
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 clash with the Saints.
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Cowboys' Hunter Luepke: Cleared to play Saturday
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Luepke (thigh) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game versus Detroit, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
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 the active roster to suit up since he's already been elevated three times this season. Whether or not that happens, there appears to be a path for Luepke to see more than his usual allotment of work on offense versus Detroit.
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Cowboys' Hunter Luepke: Heavy workload in preseason finale
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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.
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.
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Hunter Luepke: Heading to Dallas
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Luepke is expected to sign with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
In his last season at North Dakota State, Luepke rushed for 621 yards and nine touchdowns on just 98 carries, adding 14 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Operating as the starter in a running back committee, Luepke made First Team All-American and First Team All-MVFC three times and had an impressive career yards per carry (6.1) and yards per reception (17.6) during his college career. His natural ability as a pass-catcher could give him spot opportunities on an NFL offense, and he could also see time on the field on special teams coverage.
