Running Back Released: No Role in Jets' Kitchen for Dalvin Cook
The New York Jets' experiment with Dalvin Cook has expired after only five months in the kitchen.
The Jets are reportedly cutting ties with the four-time Pro Bowl running back ahead of the Week 18 regular season finale. The 28-year-old Cook, who signed a one-year deal in August, will presumably have an opportunity to latch on with a playoff-bound team.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero initially reported the news citing Cook's agent as the source. Pelissero's social media post said the two parties "have mutually agreed to part ways, allowing Cook the opportunity to play for a playoff team."
Cook was active for the Jets' Week 17 game at Cleveland but did not play a single snap in the 37-20 primetime loss on December 28.
"Dalvin has been great. I know this has been a hard season for him. It’s been a hard season for all of us. I appreciate the heck out of his professionalism and the way he goes about his business and who he is around the building," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on December 29.
He started the season opener against Buffalo and his snap count has consistently decreased since. Through 15 appearances, Cook totaled 292 yards from scrimmage on 82 touches.
Coming off four consecutive 1,100-yard rushing campaigns for the Minnesota Vikings, Cook managed only 214 yards on 67 carries as a Jet. Sparingly used, he rushed five times or fewer in different nine games and only once tallied double-digit carries.
The Cook experiment reportedly costed the Jets approximately $7 million. With Cook's departure, New York has only two running backs on the active 53-man roster — Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda.
As a team, the Jets rank 28th out of 32 teams in rushing offense (91.4 ypg).
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