As the Cowboys look to energize their running game coming off a bye week, they may introduce a new backfield option.
Head coach Mike McCarthy hinted that Dalvin Cook could make his season debut in Week 8.
Cook had a challenging 2023 season, splitting time between the Jets and Ravens and logging just 75 carries combined for both teams.
During the offseason, he was linked to the Cowboys along with Ezekiel Elliott. After the roster cutdown deadline, Dallas did indeed turn Cook’s workout into a practice squad deal.
The four-time Pro Bowler has yet to be elevated to the active roster, but that could change this week.
McCarthy’s comments suggest Cook is likely to be one of the Cowboys’ two gameday elevations for Week 8, with a final decision expected tomorrow.
If the former Viking is added to the gameday roster, he will have an opportunity to contribute to a rushing attack that has struggled in the absence of Tony Pollard.
Pollard left in free agency after playing the 2023 season under the franchise tag.
To replace Pollard’s production, the Cowboys have relied on a reunion with Elliott and an increased workload for Rico Dowdle.
However, the team currently ranks last in the NFL with an average of 77 rushing yards per game. Elliott recently expressed concerns to the team about his limited role in short-yardage situations.
Alongside Dowdle and Hunter Luepke, he will aim to boost the ground game as Dallas looks to improve on a 3-3 start.
Cook, who rushed for at least 1,135 yards each year from 2019 to 2022, was released by Minnesota last offseason in a cost-cutting move.
A strong performance in Dallas could help boost his value as a free agent this spring, though his prospects may be limited at the age of 29. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how much playing time Cook gets when he makes his regular season debut.
