Cook, who turned 29 a few weeks ago, is coming off the worst season of his career, averaging fewer than six touches per game with the New York Jets. He signed a one-year deal with Gang Green last August and finished the regular season with 214 rushing yards on 67 carries, with zero TDs and a long run of 10 yards. Cook also added 15 catches for 78 yards in his 15 games (one start) last season.

After the Jets released Cook on Jan. 2, he signed with the Ravens. In one playoff game with them last season, Cook ran for 23 yards on eight carries against the Texans, and he did not play in Baltimore’s playoff loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Cook, a former second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, spent his first six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he rushed for 5,993 yards and 47 TDs and caught 221 passes for 1,794 yards and five scores in 73 games (72 starts). Cook also has four career two-point conversions.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy faced Cook multiple times, both with the Green Bay Packers and in Dallas. Last season with the Jets, Cook ran four times for 7 yards and caught a 5-yard pass in just 17 offensive snaps in a 30-10 win over Dallas in Week 2.

The Cowboys’ backfield appeared thin before Cook signed. Elliott, who is also 29, returned to the Cowboys this offseason after a one-year stint with the Patriots. Dowdle set a career-high with 89 rushing attempts last season, but had just two games of more than nine carries. Vaughn had 80 yards from scrimmage in seven games as a rookie in limited time last year.