Cowboys expected to sign Dalvin Cook to practice squad

FRISCO, Texas — After a successful free agent visit and workout on Tuesday afternoon at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to sign four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook.

The expectation is that Cook will start on the practice squad for the Cowboys while ramping up to fill the void of missing training camp and preseason.

Cook, 29, spent six seasons in Minnesota (five with Mike Zimmer) and rushed for 5,993 yards including 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2020. After being let go by the Vikings last offseason, Cook signed with the New York Jets and could not find footing with his new squad, rushing for just 214 yards and 0 touchdowns on 67 carries in 16 games. He was released ahead of the playoffs and signed with the Baltimore Ravens where he rushed for 23 yards on eight carries in the team’s divisional round win.

The running back room now features Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and the newly acquired Cook, as Dallas looks to replace a running game that mainly featured Tony Pollard and Dowdle one year ago. Hunter Luepke is also a factor in the running game but the expectation is that he will mostly see action at fullback and tight end in 2024.

With Elliott’s three honors and Cook’s four career nods, the Cowboys position group can now claim the most Pro Bowl honors of any running back room in the NFL with seven. While the experience at a high level could be beneficial towards the offense’s running game in 2024, mileage and aging running styles could also be factored in as a negative in the room.

Dowdle and Vaughn will be the needed youth elements to the running back room, as the Cowboys will need to find a spark behind the downhill, short yardage nature of Elliott and Cook’s skillset should he be elevated to the active roster.

With him beginning on the practice squad, Cook can be elevated for three games by the Cowboys before needing to be moved onto the active roster to participate in any further contests.