The Dallas Cowboys have struggled with their run game in the first three weeks of the season, ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing yards and yards per carry. The team signed Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook in late August to add depth to their backfield, which also includes Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn. Despite their struggles, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones indicated that they are unlikely to elevate Cook to the active roster ahead of their Thursday night matchup against the New York Giants due to the short week.
The Cowboys currently have 62 rush attempts for 221 yards, ranking third-lowest in the NFL. Their average of 3.6 yards per carry is tied for 28th in the league, and their longest rush of the season is just 12 yards, tied for last. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had the team’s longest rush of the season. Dowdle leads the team in rushing with 23 attempts for 88 yards, Elliott has 19 rushes for 62 yards, and Vaughn has seven rushes for 20 yards. The lack of production from the running backs highlights the need for a spark in the run game.
Dalvin Cook is a four-time Pro Bowler who has had success in the past, rushing for over 5,000 yards and 46 touchdowns from 2019-2022. However, he is currently on the practice squad, waiting for an opportunity to contribute to the team. Cook’s most recent season with the New York Jets saw him tally 214 rushing yards, but just a year prior with the Minnesota Vikings, he had over 1,100 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. At 29 years old, the Cowboys are hoping Cook still has some good football left in him and could potentially unleash him in their offense in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite the struggles in the run game, the Cowboys have made it clear that they do not plan to make any major roster adjustments ahead of their Week 4 matchup. Jerry Jones emphasized the importance of sticking with the current roster and not making any hasty decisions due to the short week. While Cook presents an enticing option to add depth to the backfield, the team will likely have to wait until Week 5 to see him in action. In the meantime, they will continue to work with their current running back group to try and improve their rushing attack.
The Cowboys’ decision to hold off on elevating Cook to the active roster showcases their commitment to working with the players they have and not making sudden changes. While the run game has been a weak point for the team so far this season, they are looking to improve with the current roster. Jones’s comments indicate that they have faith in their players to turn things around and are confident in their abilities moving forward. As they head into Week 4, the Cowboys will look to address their issues on the ground and find ways to generate more success in the run game.
