Former Minnesota Vikings players continue finding their way to the Dallas Cowboys’ roster.
Dalvin Cook Has a New NFL Address
Eric Kendricks, Linval Joseph, Andrew Booth, and now Dalvin Cook have joined the Cowboys in the last five months, as Dallas’ regular season gets underway in 11 days.
ESPN’s Todd Archer tweeted Wednesday, “A day after visiting with the Cowboys, veteran RB Dalvin Cook is signing with the club’s practice squad, according to sources. Tuesday’s workout went well and Cook was in good shape. He can be called up from the PS and play Week 1 if needed.”
A practice squad assignment would represent a first-of-its-kind for Cook’s illustrious eight-season career.
Meanwhile, Cook will join this RB room in Dallas:
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Rico Dowdle
- Deuce Vaughn
Dallas’ rushing game ranked 16th leaguewide in 2023 per DVOA, but that was with veteran Tony Pollard at the helm. Pollard joined the Tennessee Titans’ roster this offseason.
Cook battled a forgettable season in 2023, failing to make a mark on the New York Jets organization despite grand plans for his life after purple. The Jets were supposed to take off in 2023 with Aaron Rodgers under center and Cook + Breece Hall at running back, but then Rodgers was injured in Week 1, and Hall soon took over bellcow responsibilities in New York’s offense as the primary ball carrier. Cook stuck around for most of the season but was released and joined the Ravens for two playoff games thereafter.
He rushed for 214 yards on 67 carries in 2023, a vast drop-off from 1,173 yards on 264 carries during his final season with the Vikings. He was a cap casualty last summer, rumored to latch onto the Miami Dolphins for months but ultimately signing with the Jets. The experiment didn’t work.
Cook left the Vikings in 2023 as the franchise’s third-leading rusher in franchise history (5,993 yards) behind Adrian Peterson (11,747) and Robert Smith (6,818). His 47 rushing touchdowns rank fourth behind Peterson (97), Chuck Foreman (52), and Bill Brown (52). And his rushing yards per game (82.1) are second, only trailing Peterson (95.5).
In the rumor mill, Cook was linked to Dallas this offseason ad nauseam, so the signing feels like a fruition to an extent. Former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will defensively coordinate the Cowboys in 2024, and one can’t help but connect all the former Vikings players to his suggestion.
Cook turned 29 earlier this month.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.