NFL Network's Tom Pelissero talked up RB Dalvin Cook ahead of the veteran's first game with the Cowboys on Sunday night against the 49ers. Someone must have forgotten to tell Cook or the team how good he had looked in practice, though. Cook carried six times for just 12 yards and added a 10-yard catch on his lone target. He trailed RB Ezekiel Elliott in carries, yards, and yards per rush, and watched Elliott claim the team's only rushing TD.
What They're Saying
Pelissero: "Dalvin Cook ... could be in line for a big load tonight against the 49ers."
Pelissero earlier in the week: "Cook has been tearing it up in practice."
2024 Fantasy Football Impact
We certainly didn't expect anything big from Cook, who was last seen averaging 3.2 yards per rush for last year's Jets -- and then contributing an 8-23 line (2.9 yards per rush) in his lone playoff appearance for Baltimore.
But Pelissero's reports indicated a more significant role. Instead Cook played just 17 snaps (to Elliott's 28) and trailed the other plodding vet in both rushing and passing-game usage.
Rico Dowdle should be ready for Week 9 after a late-arriving illness made him inactive for the Niners game.
We'll see how the Cowboys arrange work among the trio. But Dowdle should remain the top option in the league's most unattractive backfield.