Is Dalvin Cook playing tonight? Latest updates for Cowboys RB

Just as fans predicted, the Dallas Cowboys' running game has been borderline unwatchable this season. No running back on the roster has had a rush of more than 10 yards. While the run-blocking has been inconsistent due to a lack of continuity, Dallas' offense is entirely one-dimensional.

If the Cowboys were smart, they would give Rico Dowdle the bulk of the carries. While Dowdle's 3.8 yards per carry and two forced missed tackles don't inspire much confidence, he is a perfectly average NFL running back. He has been serviceable.

The same cannot be said for Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn. It is mind-boggling that Vaughn received touches while Dallas trailed Baltimore by multiple scores. Meanwhile, Elliott played just 18.8% of the snaps in Week 3 compared to Dowdle's 46% snap share.

Dowdle has seemingly emerged as the backfield's alpha, but Cowboys fans still want to see Dalvin Cook get a shot Thursday night against the Giants. While Mike McCarthy played coy to the media about Cook's status, Jerry Jones laid down the hammer.

Cowboys RB Dalvin Cook won't play vs. Giants on TNF

Jones told 105.3 The Fan that Cook won't play because of the short week. That excuse does little to move the needle because Cook has been on the practice squad for nearly a month. He should have a strong grasp of the playbook by now and it's not like McCarthy would give him a big workload. What exactly is the harm in activating him?

That's not to say Cook would rescue the rushing attack, but it is at least worth a shot to see if he brings more juice than Elliott.

A two-time rushing champ, Elliott is one of the best running backs in franchise history. While his vision is still top-tier, it looks as though he's running in quicksand.

Among 46 RBs with at least 19 carries this season, Elliott ranks 44th in rushing grade, 39th in yards per carry, 46th in yards after contact and tied for last with zero missed tackles forced, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Cook has experienced a similar decline to that of Elliott, but he accumulated 112 explosive runs spanning the 2020-2022 seasons, which was the second-most in the NFL. He should have fresh legs after logging just 67 carries last season with the Jets and Ravens.

The 29-year-old could prove to be worse than Elliott, but again what is the harm in at least experimenting with Cook against a docile Giants defense? Even during the season, Jerry Jones can't see what might be in the team's best interest.

More Cowboys news and analysis