Just days ago, Jets head coach Robert Saleh was speaking about running back Dalvin Cook, who’s played sparingly since being signed in the summer as part of what was supposed to be a formidable one-two punch with Breece Hall, as someone who’s “story is not over.”
Dalvin Cook (33) at Jets practice in November 2023. Bill Kostroun for New York Post“I haven’t played professional football, but being around it, you know when a player is hurting and I know he’s hurting,” Saleh said of Cook, who for the first time in his career last Thursday had a “DNP” designation next to his name in the box score. “But his story is not over.”
As of Tuesday, Cook’s story as a Jet is over as the team waived him with one game remaining in the season.
Cook, a four-time Pro Bowl back, finished with just 214 rushing yards on 67 carries for a 3.2-yard average with no touchdowns.
This after he came to the Jets off four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Vikings.
Cook, 28, was signed in August to a one-year, $7 million contract, including $5.8 million in guarantees.
His release at this time allows him to sign with another team, perhaps headed to the playoffs.
Dalvin Cook (33) in action for the Jets on Dec. 10, 2023. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post“For any guy that has produced in this league, it’s frustrating,” Cook told ESPN in December.
With the Jets out of playoff contention, they’ve given rookie running back Izzy Abanikanda the carries Cook might have been getting to give him a look for the future.
