If you were hoping to see Cowboys running back Dalvin Cook make his debut for Dallas against the Ravens on Sunday, you’re likely not alone. The Cowboys struggled in every aspect during their Week 2 loss to the Saints, with the running game being particularly underwhelming.
This was somewhat expected given that the opponent built a 35-13 lead in the first half, but a total of just 68 rushing yards on 21 carries was especially disappointing. So far this season, the Cowboys have only accumulated 170 rushing yards, ranking 25th in the NFL, and their average of 3.7 yards per carry places them at 26th.
This could be an ideal moment for the Cowboys to introduce a four-time Pro Bowl running back like Cook, who was signed on August 28 to bolster a struggling running back group that lost former Pro Bowler Tony Pollard and replaced him with aging ex-Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott.
However, team owner and de facto GM Jerry Jones indicated that Cook is unlikely to play in the Week 3 matchup against Baltimore, the team he last played for after signing for the playoffs following a disappointing year with the Jets.
Cowboys Sticking With Current RB Group
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones seemed to maintain an optimistic view of the running game, despite the evident lack of depth at the position.
Elliott served primarily as a backup for the Patriots last season. Meanwhile, Rico Dowdle has faced injury issues and has only seen limited action (96 total carries over three years) in his NFL career.
“I’m not sure how things will turn out for us; as of yesterday, our running back group looked healthy,” Jones stated. “Currently, we’re pleased, although we could have had better protection overall from our running backs, which is a strong point for Zeke. However, Zeke faced some pressure on several occasions. Overall, I thought Rico performed well in the game, so I don’t see any reason to make a change involving Cook this week.
“I’m satisfied with our running backs; we have good depth. We just didn’t get the chance to utilize them enough on Sunday.”
Dalvin Cook ‘Progressed Very, Very Nicely’
Cook has been part of the practice squad for three weeks now, and if he doesn’t play on Sunday, it’s unlikely the Cowboys will try to add him to the roster for their Week 4 game against the Giants, which is a short turnaround with a Thursday night matchup.
While Jones expressed skepticism about Cook playing in Week 3, coach Mike McCarthy was more neutral on the matter on Monday. He praised Cook’s progress and mentioned that his participation on Sunday would be considered.
“Dalvin looks good,” McCarthy said during his press conference. “For a veteran, understanding the terminology and adjusting to the language is crucial. He has made significant progress since joining us. He’s one of the most natural outside zone runners I’ve faced. So, he looks good and is getting there.”
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