Cowboys HC: Dalvin Cook Getting Extra Practice Reps amid Elliott, Dowdle's Struggles

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that veteran running back Dalvin Cook has been getting more work in practice this week.

During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Jon Machota of The Athletic), McCarthy said the following about Cook and the team's running back situation involving Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott:

"[Cook] took some reps yesterday in the team periods, so we're definitely moving him forward. But the other part of it, too, is I think Rico and [Elliott] they haven't been given a lot of opportunities too, so it isn't like they haven't done anything to warrant their opportunities decreasing right now. It's a great place to be. It gives us excellent depth. That's a hell of a situation to be in."

Cook has been on the Cowboys' practice squad since the start of the 2024 season, but he could soon be in line for an elevation to the active roster since Dallas has been the league's worst rushing team this season with only 75.3 yards per game.

After the Cowboys lost Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, they brought back Elliott, who had a one-year sabbatical with the New England Patriots after spending his first seven seasons in Dallas.

Zeke entered the 2024 season as the expected starter, but he has largely been ineffective and has seen his snaps dwindle each week, down to a season-low 18 percent last week.

Overall, Elliott has rushed for 81 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries, while also catching six passes for 36 yards.

Dowdle has taken over the starting job, and while he has been better than Elliott, his numbers haven't been anything to write about either, as he has rushed 34 times for 134 yards and no touchdowns, and caught nine passes for 74 yards and a score.

Since No. 3 running back Deuce Vaughn has just 34 total yards from scrimmage, there may be a spot for Cook on the roster if McCarthy wants to see what he has left in the tank.

The 29-year-old Cook spent his first six NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, and he was among the best running backs in the league from 2019 to 2022.

During the stretch, Cook was named to four straight Pro Bowls and he had four consecutive seasons with at least 1,100 rushing yards. He also scored double-digit total touchdowns in three of those four campaigns.

The Vikings released Cook prior to the 2023 season in a cost-cutting move, and he signed with the New York Jets to form a tandem with Breece Hall.

Cook fell flat in New York, though, rushing for just 214 yards and no touchdowns on 67 carries in 15 games.

The Jets released Cook late in the 2023 season and he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. While he didn't appear in any regular-season games for the Ravens, Cook played in one playoff game, rushing eight times for 23 yards.

Cook's struggles last season likely prevented him from landing with a team until the Cowboys signed him to their practice squad in late August, but given their lack of success on the ground, he may get a chance to see some in-game action.

The 2-2 Cowboys will be back on the field Sunday night when they go on the road to face the 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers.