Dalvin

Cook

CEH was never signed to the Saints’ 53-man roster after joining their practice squad in late December. The former first-round pick saw his practice squad expire today, meaning he is now a free agent who can sign with any team. In two games played with the Saints, CEH rushed for 46 scoreless yards on 13 carries while adding another three receptions for 24 yards on five targets. He will turn 26 in April, and could land with another team this offseason in hopes of winning a roster spot in camp. In addition to Edwards-Helaire, running back Dalvin Cook, and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie also saw their practice squad contracts expire and are now free agents.

On one hand, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Dowdle has handled 33 of the Cowboys’ last 64 running back opportunities, and that’s after missing Week 8’s game against the 49ers due to an illness. Still, this is the first time McCarthy has gone out of his way to endorse Dowdle as the team’s lead back. Dowdle has earned 15 or more opportunities in his last two games and has totaled 163 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown over that span. He’ll have some RB3/FLEX appeal in Week 11 against the Texans.

He was outrushed not only by Rico Dowdle, but by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb as well. Cook didn’t emerge until the third quarter, and then was instantly the reason the Cowboys got called for 12 men before a crucial fourth-and-short go. He’s not startable in fantasy football at this point.

Cook saw 17 offensive snaps in his season debut with the Cowboys in Week 8, playing well behind Ezekiel Elliott in the absence of lead back Rico Dowdle. Dowdle is off the injury report in Week 9 after missing the previous game, meaning we are unlikely to see Cook see immense volume against the Falcons.

Cook was elevated to the active roster Saturday to make his debut in Dallas, which coincided with the absence of lead back Rico Dowdle due to illness. Cook played well behind Ezekiel Elliott but still saw seven opportunities to the 11 of Zeke. Neither back did much to unseat Dowdle for the lead back role.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Dowdle “became sick upon arriving to Levi’s stadium.” Players rarely miss games because of illnesses, but Dowdle being added to the report this late in the process is an obvious concern. Dalvin Cook, who was elevated from the practice squad this week, would be in line for a share of the Cowboys’ backfield by committee if Dowdle doesn’t suit up. Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys with eight carries last week and would be the starter without Dowdle.

Cook joined the team three weeks ago but has yet to find his way onto the active game-day roster, with the team’s Week 7 bye likely affording the veteran enough time to master the offense. It remains unclear how Cook will slot into the backfield rotation but he likely won’t have to do much to supplant Ezekiel Elliott as the primary change of pace option behind Rico Dowdle.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke earlier this week about Cook calling him “in position” to play Sunday. Maybe he’ll be part of Dallas’ game plan coming out of the bye week, but it’s more likely the 29-year-old Cook gets just enough work to take away from Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott’s fantasy value.

McCarthy prefaced the statement by saying, “Dalvin is ready. I really like the work he’s putting in.” The Cowboys were on bye in Week 7 so it’s possible McCarthy unveils a new, exciting, post-bye game plan featuring the the 29-year-old Cook. This is at least somewhat unlikely though. Cook averaged just 3.2 yards per carry last season although he’s managed to average 0.19 missed tackles forced per carry in each of the last three seasons. Cook likely rotates in as an unhelpful member of the Cowboys’ new three-player committee.

Whether or not this means Cook will be elevated for Week 5’s matchup against the Steelers is to be determined, but it sounds like the Cowboys are ready to explore other internal options at running back. McCarthy also noted that Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott “haven’t been given a lot of opportunities” and “haven’t done anything to warrant their opportunities decreasing right now.” Both Dowdle and Elliott are averaging less than 4.0 YPC on the season, and its Dowdle who is currently leading the team in rushing yards (134). Cook averaged 3.2 YPC with the Jets last season and has long been trending toward washing out in the league. That he wasn’t able to be elevated to the Cowboys’ 53-man roster prior to this is somewhat concerning about where he’s at now as a player. We’ll see if he ends up taking in-game touches soon, but it sounds like Cook is slowly working his way into the Cowboys’ backfield rotation.