Shortly before the start of the 2024 regular season, the Dallas Cowboys signed former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to the team's practice squad.
At the time, the belief was that Cook would spend some time on the Cowboys' practice squad to help ease him into the team's offense, and then, eventually, he would be added to the active roster.
Well, that hasn't happened yet, and Dallas is about to play its fifth game of the regular season. And despite the Cowboys currently ranking 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per carry, it doesn't seem like Cook is going to be making his debut with Dallas anytime soon.
Former Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook not expected to play for Dallas Cowboys in Week 5
When the Cowboys take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, Cook isn't expected to be among the players participating in the matchup for Dallas.
At least, this is according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who, during a recent appearance on Dallas's KRLD-FM radio, said "probably not this week" in regards to Cook making his regular-season debut with the team.
This year, the Cowboys' offensive backfield has been led by running backs Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott. Through four games, Dowdle and Elliott are averaging a combined 53.8 rushing yards per contest. Both are also averaging less than four yards per carry and Dallas as a whole ranks 23rd in the league in rushing expected points.
Despite the struggles this season, it doesn't sound like the Cowboys are currently interested in seeing if Cook can help improve the team's rushing attack.
Cook's last appearance in an NFL game was during the 2023 Divisional Round of the playoffs as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. During that contest, he rushed for 23 yards on eight carries.
As a member of both the Ravens and New York Jets last season, Cook only managed to accumulate 315 total yards (237 rushing and 78 receiving) in 16 appearances, including the playoffs. It was easily the worst single-season performance of his career.
For now, all the former Vikings running back can do is wait and hope that he will eventually get to play in game for Dallas this year. But it's anyone's guess as to when that will actually happen.