Dalvin Cook finally joined the Jets after weeks of speculation that the veteran running back would do so. Now, a new question has arisen in wake of his signing.
When will Cook be able to play for the Jets?
Many presumed that Cook would be able to practice right away for the Jets. However, the veteran running back was dealing with a couple of issues that kept him out of practice in his early days with the team.
Will that have an impact on Cook's Week 1 availability or anything further down the line? Here's what to know about his status as he prepares to jockey for position on a suddenly strong-looking Jets running back depth chart.
MORE: What Dalvin Cook's signing means for Breece Hall, Jets RB depth chart
When will Dalvin Cook play for the Jets?
It seems as though Cook will be ready to suit up for the Jets to start the 2023 NFL season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the veteran running back practiced with the team for the first time on Tuesday, Aug. 29. That should put him on track to play in Week 1 if all goes well.
Originally, the timetable for Cook's debut with the Jets was not clear. That was largely thanks to his continued recovery from a shoulder surgery that he had during the 2023 NFL offseason.
Schefter reported upon Cook's signing that the running back was "at least a week away" from being able to practice with the Jets. That meant Cook would miss the team's preseason Week 2 game against the Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 19. It also put into question his availability for a Week 3 tilt against the Giants, a contest in which he ultimately didn't play.
Furthermore, Schefter reported that Cook was going to "become a first-time father any day now." That was expected to delay his New York arrival; and while that didn't necessarily add to his recovery from shoulder surgery, many posited that it could hamper his ingratiation into the Jets' offense.
Coach Robert Saleh confirmed to reporters on Tuesday, Aug. 15 that it would be at least a week before Cook joins the team.
"I know he's having a baby, which we're all excited for him on," Saleh said. "It's just a matter of getting on the phone with him today and getting him in here and just having those conversations to see where he's at."
But now, it looks like Cook is with the Jets. And he should have plenty of time to prepare for the Jets' "Monday Night Football" season opener against the Bills on Sept. 14.
Nonetheless, Jets fans and fantasy football owners alike will want to keep tabs on his Week 1 status to see just how ready for action he is or whether he will be operating on any sort of snap-count limit in that contest.
MORE: How Dalvin Cook's contract with Jets compares to Ezekiel Elliott's with Patriots
What is Dalvin Cook's injury?
Cook is recovering from shoulder surgery that he had on Feb. 14 to address a chronic shoulder problem he has dealt with during his college and NFL careers.
Cook first suffered a labrum tear in his shoulder after falling in the weight room while at Florida State in 2014. He aggravated the injury in 2016 but was still able to star for the Seminoles and become a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
During his first four NFL seasons, Cook suffered just one shoulder injury — a sprained AC joint in Week 15 of the 2019 season. However, he dislocated the shoulder in both 2021 and 2022, while also suffering another labrum tear in 2021. He was able to miss just four games across those two seasons, but the injury left its lasting mark.
As such, Cook had the surgery, which NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported made the shoulder "much more stable than it had been" and put the running back "on his way to 100 percent recovery." He hasn't reached that stage just yet, but given that the Jets were comfortable signing him, it stands to reason that he shouldn't be sidelined too much longer as the regular season approaches.
MORE: How the Jets transformed their offense in one offseason
Latest Dalvin Cook news, updates
Aug. 29: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Cook is practicing with the Jets for the first time. That could potentially him on track to play in Week 1 against the Bills.
After signing two weeks ago, Jets RB Dalvin Cook is practicing today for the first time this summer. Cook recently became a first-time father, was spending time with Dalvin Jr., and is now ready to gear up for the Monday night opener vs. the Bills and his younger brother James.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2023
Aug. 15: Coach Robert Saleh confirms that Cook won't join the team immediately.
Robert Saleh says it will be at least a week until Dalvin Cook joins the Jets
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 15, 2023
On what Cook can bring to the offense: "There's a lot of different things you can do to create headaches for defensive coaches" pic.twitter.com/b39EO9kfmF
Aug. 14: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Cook is "at least a week away" from returning to the field as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.
New Jets’ RB Dalvin Cook still is at least a week away from being able to practice after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. Cook’s NY arrival also will be delayed due to fact that he will become a first-time father any day now.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 14, 2023
So it will be a bit before he’s on the field.
Aug. 14: Dalvin Cook signs with the Jets after weeks of speculation. The offer he reportedly agrees to is a one-year deal worth a base value of $7 million and up to $8.6 million.
July 31: Cook leaves New York after visiting with the Jets. He hasn't yet signed a deal and didn't seem to be in a rush to ink one, per CBS Sports' Josina Anderson.
Don't know exact # of suitors.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 31, 2023
However, I'm told #Jets didn't sense an immediate rush from Cook's side to do a deal when the day ended Sunday & as of earlier today, per sources.
Cook had shoulder surgery in Feb. per reports. Didn't hear today, any major* shifts in his timing. https://t.co/DSCXNhLnjU
July 28: Dalvin Cook says the odds are "pretty high" he signs with the Jets ahead of scheduled visit with team.
April 3: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cook is making "excellent progress" in his recovery from shoulder surgery.
#Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was recently in Minnesota for a post-surgery checkup on his shoulder and is said to be making excellent progress, per sources. Cook played the last three seasons while protecting the injured shoulder, which is now 100% stable and stronger. pic.twitter.com/2c4Z5VPrdW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 3, 2023
Feb. 14: Dalvin Cook undergoes shoulder surgery.