FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have made a strategic move to bolster their struggling running game by promoting running back Dalvin Cook from the practice squad. This decision comes just ahead of a highly anticipated prime-time matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who are also a key rival for Dallas.
Cook joined the Cowboys late in the preseason but has remained inactive for the first six games of the season. The team’s running attack has largely relied on Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, the latter of whom is a two-time rushing champion returning to the Cowboys after a stint elsewhere in the offseason.
The Cowboys’ decision to bring Cook up from the practice squad was facilitated by the unfortunate season-ending knee injury suffered by tight end John Stephens during practice this past week. This injury led to Stephens being placed on injured reserve on Saturday, thereby creating space on the 53-man roster that was filled by cornerback Amani Oruwariye, who had reached the maximum elevation limit from the practice squad in recent games.
Currently holding a 3-3 record, the Cowboys have only managed to establish a decent running game on one occasion, which was during the latter half of their win against Pittsburgh. As they prepare to face the 49ers, the team is averaging a meager 77 rushing yards per game.
Rico Dowdle has rushed for 246 yards on 59 carries, but Ezekiel Elliott has struggled with an average of just 3 yards per carry, totaling 115 yards on 38 attempts, although he has managed to score the only rushing touchdown among the running backs.
Dalvin Cook earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Minnesota Vikings before signing with the New York Jets last season after his release from Minnesota. His time with the Jets was limited, and he was released late in the season after participating in just one of two playoff games for the Baltimore Ravens.
After joining the Cowboys, Cook expressed that he was not interested in reflecting on his relatively unsatisfactory experience in New York. He has spoken positively about the communication from the Dallas coaching staff. “I like people being honest with me,” Cook stated recently. “They’ve been honest and communicating effectively.”
Over his seven-season career, Cook has accumulated 6,207 rushing yards and has also made an impact as a receiver, amassing an additional 1,872 receiving yards. He had a standout season in 2020, racking up a combined total of 1,918 scrimmage yards, including 1,557 yards on the ground.