The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly signing running back Dalvin Cook.
It was reported on Monday evening that the Dallas Cowboys were working out veteran free agent running back Dalvin Cook.
On Wednesday morning word broke that the Cowboys are, in fact, signing him.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted that Cook will “ramp up initially” on the practice squad which means that this is obviously where he will begin his time with Dallas. This is important because it means that Cook will not take up a roster spot.
The Cowboys finalized their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday afternoon and will likely amend it slightly over the next day, but again Cook will not be a part of that for now. Whether or not he is a part of the plan for next Sunday’s opener on the road against the Cleveland Browns remains to be seen.
Cook played in 14 games last season for the New York Jets (he did have a spell with the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs) and totaled 67 carries for 214 yards (3.2 YPC). Obviously things were a bit tough for the Jets across the 2023 season so hopefully things will be easier for him as a member of a much more functional offense.
For what it is worth, Cook was a very serviceable player for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 (264 carries for 1,173 yards and eight rushing touchdowns). It has been a minute though since he posted more impressive advanced numbers as his last two seasons have seen him in the negatives (albeit slightly) in terms of Rushing Yards Over Expected Per Carry. Cook was at -1.2 last season and at -0.1 in 2022. Although for some additional context current starting running back Ezekiel Elliot has been on the negative side of that line over his last three seasons, the first two of which were obviously with Dallas.
Cook, Elliott, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn round out the true running backs across the Cowboys roster and practice squad at the moment.