Dallas Cowboys running back Dalvin Cook is likely to play in his first game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night in Santa Clara, California.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy mentioned that the four-time Pro Bowl player is ready after joining the team’s practice squad on August 28.
“Dalvin is ready,” 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).”
Dallas (3-3) could really use his help, as they are currently last in the NFL for rushing yards per game at 77.2.
While Cook might be on the field, the team has ruled out star edge rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) for the matchup against the 49ers (3-4).
Parsons has missed the last two games, and Bland has not played at all this season.
Cook, 29, has gained 6,207 rushing yards and scored 47 touchdowns in 88 NFL games (73 starts) over seven seasons after being selected in the second round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. He also has 236 catches for 1,872 yards and five touchdowns.
Cook had four straight seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards while playing for the Vikings from 2019 to 2022, but a shoulder surgery interrupted his success. In 2020, he set career highs with 1,557 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in just 14 games (all starts).
The Vikings released him in June 2023, and Cook had a tough time during his 15 games with the New York Jets last season, rushing for only 214 yards before he was let go in early January.
The Baltimore Ravens picked him up, and he rushed for 23 yards on eight carries in a playoff win against the Houston Texans. However, he did not play in the next week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
