When teams report to training camps at the end of July, the preparation time is set. 45 days after the first camp practice is the regular season opener, which sets a timeline for getting into football shape.

Dalvin Cook was given an additional fifteen days to ramp up his activities. Signed on August 28, the former second-round pick Minnesota Viking will make his debut with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, 60 days after he was signed. Cook needed some extra seasoning after sitting on the sidelines this offseason, not participating in OTAs or mini-camps, waiting for the right opportunity to come along.

The extra time makes sense, as in-season training doesn’t provide the same amount of reps as training camp, but now he’ll be part of the Cowboys’ busy and questionable backroom, changing fantasy prospects for a number of people. of players, especially Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle.

Neither back has recorded a single special teams record from the 2024 season, which makes for an interesting dynamic. Cook has never played on special teams in his career. Elliott has played fewer than 10 snaps in his career, all on kick returns.

Dowdle, a career backup until taking on RB1 duties this year, has an extensive history of playing for teams, with nearly 400 career snaps and 180 over the past two seasons.

But then again, he was the frontrunner.

Elliott certainly has the biggest question mark over Cook’s elevation.

Offensive snaps have been steady for Elliott, aside from a two-game hiatus in Week 3 and Week 4 when he only totaled 21 snaps. He has seen between 21 and 29 snaps in each of the other four games.

Elliott’s carries have returned to his average of about six per game, but he hasn’t reached more than 20 rushing yards since Week 1. He has just one target and no receptions over the past two weeks. It’s hard to see how he’s a viable play in fantasy this week.

There’s even a chance (due to the special teams factor) that Elliott is made inactive on Sunday.

Dowdle’s fantasy production is fairly steady as an RB3 for PPR leagues. He had just 55 total yards in the blowout loss to the Lions in Week 6 before the bye, but that included five receptions. He had scored touchdowns in each of the previous two games, though he saw just 19 offensive snaps in Week 6.

Fans should probably hold off on playing any of the three backs in Week 8, especially since there are no bye teams this week; regular starters must be available.

If you have to choose, it would be wise to take a flyer on Cook as Dowdle has not shown the ability to make a difference and the gap between no Cook production and Dowdle’s season best is not earth-shattering.