Cowboys RB Cook is improving in practice and making progress toward activation

Everyone's favorite running back, Dalvin Cook, is making progress and could be called up from the Cowboys' practice squad.

Rico Dowdle remains the starter, Deuce Vaughn and Ezekiel Elliott are the backups. But Cook's improvement in practice in recent weeks is viewed as a positive.

“Dalvin is ready,” Mike McCarthy said. “I really like the work he does. I think he has clearly crossed the threshold of communication and understanding, and most importantly, I think non-verbal, visual communication is the final point. I think he’s definitely capable of doing that.”

Because Cook is making progress in practice, that doesn't mean he will be activated. The Cowboys can't afford to have two running backs, in this case Elliott and Cook, on the game day roster and not play special teams. If Cook is scheduled to play, Elliott may appear to be inactive.

Dowdle can return kicks if injured.

The Cowboys rank last in the NFL in rushing yards (463) and yards per game (77.2), so any improvement they can get would be welcome.

“The biggest thing is when you work with different running backs, with Rico and Zeke and so on, to get everything in sync and get the timing to fit the run blocking,” McCarthy said. “I thought the communication up front was a lot better, the execution, the pad work is always a big barometer for me and we actually added more running play opportunities to our pad work and I thought it was beneficial.”

Twitter: @calvinwatkins

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