The Dallas Cowboys running back room may have been their biggest roster hole heading into the regular season. They hope adding a veteran solves the issue.
On Wednesday, RB Dalvin Cook‘s agency, LAA, told NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero that he’s signing with the Cowboys. Pelissero added he should start on the practice squad after missing training camp and preseason.
29-year-old Cook is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. In 15 regular-season games with the New York Jets, he recorded a career-low 214 rushing yards and zero touchdowns on 67 carries.
After the Jets moved on from Cook, the Baltimore Ravens signed him before the start of the playoffs. He only had eight carries for 23 yards in one postseason game.
Cook underwent shoulder surgery last offseason, possibly contributing to his drop-off. When he starred for the Minnesota Vikings from 2019-22, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards each season and made four consecutive Pro Bowls.
Cook hasn’t had to rehab his shoulder this offseason, allowing him to hit the weight room. Per Pelissero, he says this is the best he has felt in years.
Whether Cook rebounds remains to be seen, but at least he provides needed RB depth.
In free agency, the Cowboys let former Pro Bowl RB Tony Pollard sign a three-year, $21.75M deal with the Tennessee Titans. In 17 games last season, Pollard led Dallas in rushing yards (1,005) and rushing TDs (six).
To replace Pollard, the Cowboys reunited with one-time first-team All-Pro Ezekiel Elliott. It appears he has exited his prime, though. In 17 games with the New England Patriots last season, he logged career lows in rushing yards (642) and rushing TDs (three) on 184 carries.
Rico Dowdle, meanwhile, has yet to prove he’s a quality starting RB. Through three seasons with the Cowboys, the former undrafted free agent has 385 rushing yards and two rushing TDs on 96 carries.
The Cowboys backfield still seems like a concern, but adding Cook could help the unit improve.
