The Cowboys have finally added former Vikings star Dalvin Cook to their active roster after two months of waiting. Cook was initially signed to the practice squad on August 28, with hopes he could quickly join the 53-man roster to bolster a struggling running game.
Despite expectations, Cook remained inactive as the Cowboys’ ground game has performed poorly this season, mirroring pre-season concerns after the team opted not to sign significant free agents or draft a running back. They also let two-time 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard leave in free agency. Currently, the Cowboys’ running back group is led by backup Rico Dowdle and veteran Ezekiel Elliott.
To date, Dallas has accumulated just 463 rushing yards and two touchdowns, ranking last in the NFL.
Cowboys Hoping for a Dalvin Cook Turnaround
In Dallas, there’s hope that Cook can revive his career. The 29-year-old, a four-time Pro Bowl player, had four consecutive seasons of over 1,100 yards with the Vikings before a disappointing stint with the Jets last year, where he managed only 67 carries for 214 yards. Cook was ultimately released after failing to secure a significant role.
He briefly joined the Ravens for last season’s playoffs but recorded just 23 yards on eight carries in a single game. Cook has openly acknowledged he’s not the same player he once was, but the Cowboys are in dire need of assistance.
“My years in Minnesota it was Dalvin, Dalvin, Dalvin, give him the ball. Now, just a little adjustment,” Cook stated, via ESPN. “Help everybody and be productive. That’s just my mindset. I’m going to be ready to go, being around Zeke, I can obviously learn a lot from him. He’s older than me. Just soaking up the game, still. Learning from the young guys, too. Just being a part of this group, I feel like we’re going to push each other.”
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Ex-Dallas Cowboys players voice concerns over disruptions from group tours
Several former Dallas Cowboys players expressed their concerns in an ESPN article regarding the distractions caused by tours of the team’s practice facility. Fans can register for these tours through the Cowboys’ website, which take them through areas typically reserved for team staff, such as weight rooms and scout offices.
The Cowboys are unique in the NFL for offering such tours. Former players noted the challenges of attending team meetings or workouts with fans constantly observing. The Dallas Cowboys leadership council acknowledged the issue but ultimately decided there was little they could do to change the situation.
Dalton Schultz, now a tight end for the Houston Texans, voiced his frustrations last year, describing the facility as a “zoo” due to the tours. He remarked, “There’s people literally going on tours while you’re lifting in the weight room and they’ve got like a one-way mirror for people to look in. Like it’s literally, it’s a zoo… you’ve got people tapping on the glass trying to get people’s attention as they’re doing power cleans or whatnot.”
Jayron Kearse, who played for the Cowboys from 2021 to 2023, supported Schultz’s view. He stated, “You’re walking by the tour guide, and they’re pulling [the fans] to the side, and you hear them say, ‘Oh that’s CeeDee Lamb, that’s CeeDee!’ Like Dalton said, it’s kind of like you’re in a zoo and kids are going to see a lion. That’s not a reason why we didn’t get over that hump. But I just don’t think that really equates to winning. That has nothing to do with us winning the game.”
Tony Pollard, who played for the Cowboys for five years before joining the Tennessee Titans, highlighted the contrast between the two teams. He said, “This is more about football, just X’s and O’s. I’m in a better place mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, just all around.”
Team owner Jerry Jones defended the tours, claiming that players are not missing tackles or plays because of fan presence. The tours can cost fans between $40 and $75, generating an estimated $10 million annually when combined with tours at AT&T Stadium.
