New York Jets fans are rightly excited to see their new running back in action, but they will have to wait before they see Dalvin Cook take the field.
Cook signed a one-year, $8.6 million contract in New York, but we don’t yet know when he will be ready to make an on-field appearance. Cook has both medical and personal circumstances to deal with before we see him suit up for Gang Green.
Dalvin Cook Has Yet To Suit up for Jets
While Cook has been around the Jets facility, he has yet to participate in a practice session and is set to head home for a short period of time. Cook is still recovering from shoulder surgery and also has family matters to attend to.
Cook is expecting a new baby on Saturday, ruling out any possibility of him making an appearance at MetLife Stadium, even if it would have been from the sideline.
Cook told reporters during the week, “I got my baby due on Saturday, so I’ll be going back home to go help with the labor.”
What Do We Know About Cook’s Injury?
It is currently unknown as to when Jets fans will be able to see Cook on the field. He underwent shoulder surgery back in February, partly to fix the shoulder that he broke in 2019. Cook’s recovery is going well, and he believes he is on track with his recovery, telling the media on Thursday, “I will be practicing within the next few days.”
Adam Schefter reported on Aug. 15 that Cook is “at least a week away” from practicing.
Cook said the Jets “reached out to my doctor, and everything is right on schedule.” Cook has been around the facility this past week, “getting in with those guys and getting a good feel for how we want to do things,” and he repeated, “I think we are going to get things rolling real soon.”
Cook’s shoulder injuries have been a mainstay of his football career. He tore his labrum in his shoulder while lifting weights at Florida State, and they have troubled him ever since.
Tom Pelissero from NFL.com reported that Cook had been playing the past three seasons trying to protect his shoulder and that the surgery was successful. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport also said that the surgery “should end his string of dislocations.”
Adamant that his recovery is going well, Cook confirmed that he is back in some form of training. “I’ve been working out, I’ve been grinding,” the star RB said.
When questioned about his offseason routine, Cook said, “Every year, I do the same thing; I’ve got the same people I work with every year.” When pressed on what that actually means, Cook expanded, saying, “Lot of running back drills. Conditioning some days. Speed work some days. I might get a little body work.”
Cook also interestingly said, “You get a lot of guys that do a lot of things outside of their position, and for me, I just stick to my position and what’s going to help me be successful next year.”
Possible Suspension Looming
This is all happening at a time when Cook has domestic abuse allegations against him that could lead to a potential suspension. Cook denies any wrongdoing, and when questioned if he has any worries about a potential suspension, Cook couldn’t have been more assertive: “None. None whatsoever.”
The allegations stretch back to 2021 when his former partner, Gracelyn Trimble filed a lawsuit that accused Cook of domestic violence. And while there is no resolution, the NFL is unlikely to act. The NFL has sided with letting situations become resolved before giving out any potential suspensions.
Cook’s lawsuit is also civil, and no criminal charges are against him, but that has not stopped the NFL from giving out suspensions in the past, citing the league’s personal conduct policy to give out suspensions. That ban has been set at a minimum of six games.
