Mike McCarthy shares new update regarding Dalvin Cook’s role with Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys (3-3) head coach Mike McCarthy left the door open for running back Dalvin Cook to make his team debut in Sunday’s Week 8 road contest against the San Francisco 49ers (3-4).
“I think the biggest thing for us is we’re taking the full week. Dalvin is ready,” McCarthy said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I really like the work that he’s putting in. … I think he’s definitely in position to [play].”
Cook hinted at making his Cowboys debut against San Francisco while speaking with Clarence Hill of DLLS Sports.
“I’m going to let them tell you, but I think this is the week,” Cook said.
Cowboys turning to Dalvin Cook to help fix struggling running game?
Cook, 29, signed with the Cowboys in late August less than two weeks before the regular season opener. He has been on the practice squad since then, as Dallas has opted to go with Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn in its backfield rotation.
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The Cowboys’ offense has taken a step back in all areas this season, but particularly on the ground. Dallas has rushed for an NFL-low 463 yards, a 77.2 average per game. Dowdle has seen the lion’s share of the carries, rushing for 246 yards on 4.2 yards per carry. The Cowboys have just two rushing touchdowns this season, one coming from Elliott and the other from quarterback Dak Prescott. Dallas is the only team without a run of 20 or more yards.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Cook rushed for 1,000 plus yards in each season from 2019-22 but had his toughest season to date in 2023. Following his release from the Minnesota Vikings (5-2), Cook signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets (2-5). New York’s offense struggled as a whole, with Cook rushing for a career low 214 yards on 3.2 yards per carry in 15 games.
The two sides mutually agreed to part ways after the regular season, and Cook signed with the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) for the playoffs. In Baltimore’s 34-10 Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans (5-2), Cook rushed for 23 yards on eight carries.