The Dallas Cowboys are "in position" to elevate four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook off the practice squad for Sunday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Cook could make his Cowboys debut after being signed to the practice squad on Aug. 28.
If activated, Cook will work alongside Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and Hunter Luepke in the team's backfield as the Cowboys look for a spark in a rushing offense that is last in the NFL with 463 total rushing yards entering week eight. Cook can also provide a lift to the receiving game, as running backs have only accounted for 272 of the team's 1,654 receiving yards this season.
"Dalvin is ready," head coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday. "I really like the work that he's putting in. I think he's clearly crossed over the threshold of the communication and the understanding [of the offense]."
The Florida State product spent six seasons in Minnesota and earned all four of his Pro Bowl nods with the Vikings on the back of four seasons that saw him account for more than 1,100 rushing yards.
His time in Minnesota came to an end in 2023 when he signed with the New York Jets. It was a career-worst season for Cook last year who suffered career lows in rushing yards (214), touchdowns (0) and yards per carry (3.2). After requesting a release, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens and rushed for 23 yards on eight carries in a divisional round win over Houston.
Cook did not participate in a training camp this season, as he worked in Houston with personal trainers close to his offseason home. After spending seven weeks waiting on an opportunity to be called up while learning the offense and ramping back up into football shape, Cook is trending toward getting his shot in one of the biggest games of the season for the Cowboys.