Dalvin Cook Joins Dallas Cowboys Practice Squad
In a bold move aimed at bolstering their offensive lineup, the Dallas Cowboys have signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook to their practice squad. Cook, who has demonstrated exceptional talent and consistency throughout his career, worked out for the Cowboys earlier this week and impressed the coaching staff, leading to his subsequent signing.
Cook's addition comes at a crucial time for the Cowboys, who have established themselves as an offensive powerhouse in the NFL. Last season, the team led the league in scoring, averaging an impressive 29.9 points per game. Despite this success, their red zone efficiency was an area of concern, with a rate of 56.3%. Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Cowboys, is optimistic that Cook’s presence will address this issue. “We needed to have improvement, especially in that red zone, needed to have improvement getting in that end zone with that running game. This all bolsters that up. I’m really pleased with where we are right now at running back,” Jones stated.
Cook's performance statistics are nothing short of remarkable. During his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, he made the Pro Bowl in four out of the last five years, rushing for at least 1,135 yards in each of those Pro Bowl seasons from 2019 to 2022. He amassed a total of 5,238 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns since 2019, making him the third-leading rusher in Vikings history with 5,993 yards. In 2023, Cook had stints with both the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens, accumulating 214 rushing yards on 67 carries during the regular season.
The Cowboys' current roster of running backs includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, and fullback Hunter Luepke. The addition of Cook provides depth and experience to this group. Jerry Jones emphasized the strategic nature of this signing, mentioning that the opportunity to secure a player of Cook’s caliber had been on their radar. “We had hoped that as time went along in this offseason, we would have an opportunity to maybe look at a player of his stature if the right circumstances came along,” Jones remarked.
Despite the excitement surrounding Cook’s signing, the Cowboys are facing challenges on the defensive side of the ball. All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland is currently sidelined with a foot injury. Nevertheless, Jones remains steadfast in his approach, expressing no interest in seeking external help for the cornerback position at this time.
For Dalvin Cook, the journey with the Cowboys begins on the practice squad, a move designed to help him acclimate to the team’s system. “He’s initially on the practice squad, gives him a chance to get in here and learn the system,” Jones explained. The Cowboys’ management is confident that his integration into the team will be smooth, thanks in part to his demonstrated professionalism and work ethic.
“We had a workout for him. He’s in good shape. He’ll get a lot more work. He will learn the system as he goes, and he could really help us out this year,” Jones affirmed. Cook’s potential impact on the team’s performance could be significant, especially if he can replicate the form that made him one of the league’s top running backs during his time with the Vikings.
The upcoming NFL season will undoubtedly be an exciting one for Cowboys fans, as they look forward to seeing how Dalvin Cook’s addition to the roster will influence the team’s dynamics and overall performance. With Cook’s proven track record and the Cowboys’ high-powered offense, there is a strong sense of optimism heading into the new season.