As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for a pivotal NFC East clash against the New York Giants on Thursday night, all eyes are on the backfield situation. With both teams sitting at 1-2, the stakes are high, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently dropped a major update regarding one of their newest additions-Dalvin Cook. However, it looks like fans hoping to see the star running back in action will not be happy about it.
Cook, who signed with the Cowboys practice squad on August 28, has yet to appear in a game as he continues to acclimate to the playbook and build chemistry with the team.
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Jones, speaking on his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The FAN, hinted that Cook is unlikely to play on Thursday. “I don’t expect him to play,” Jones said, putting to rest any speculation that the former Minnesota Vikings standout would make his debut against the Giants.
Cook’s arrival in Dallas sparked excitement, as his past success made him one of the league’s most coveted free agents. He spent the 2023 season with the New York Jets, rushing for 214 yards on 67 carries, though he failed to find the end zone. It was a stark contrast to his time in Minnesota, where he recorded four 1,000-yard seasons and earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s elite running backs. His best year came in 2020, when he rushed for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns, solidifying himself as a game-changing player.
Despite the hype, Cook’s delayed debut leaves the Cowboys relying on their established backs for the time being. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle will once again carry the load for Dallas. Elliott, a former rushing champion, has had a slow start to the season with 62 yards on 19 carries, while Dowdle has shown flashes of potential, racking up 88 yards on 23 carries.
Cowboys vs. Giants: A must-win battle with Dalvin Cook still sidelined
For the Cowboys, Thursday night’s matchup is crucial. A win would help them climb back to .500, while a loss would put them in an early season hole that could be hard to climb out of. The absence of Cook leaves the spotlight on Elliott and Dowdle to lead the ground attack in what’s expected to be a hard-fought divisional game.
The New York Giants, also 1-2, are battling similar challenges and are eager to get their season back on track. With both teams fighting for relevance in the division, the outcome of this game could have significant playoff implications down the line.
You can listen to the whole Jerry Jones interview starting around 10:38…
Kickoff for the Cowboys vs. Giants showdown is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, airing live on Amazon Prime Video. Veteran broadcaster Al Michaels, along with Kirk Herbstreit, will be on the call, providing commentary for what’s shaping up to be an intense game. While Dalvin Cook’s absence looms large, the Cowboys will look to rely on their current roster to get the job done in his absence.
As Cowboys fans await Cook’s debut, patience may be key. For now, the Dallas backfield remains in the capable hands of Elliott and Dowdle. But with the season heating up, it’s only a matter of time before Cook steps into the spotlight, ready to contribute to a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
For fans looking for updates on Dalvin Cook’s status and all things Dallas Cowboys, stay tuned to team news and social media channels as the season progresses.
