Cowboys Pressured to Shake up Backfield Following Loss vs. Ravens

The Dallas Cowboys' early season slump continued in Week 3 with a 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium . While several factors went into the Cowboys' most recent defeat, struggles regarding the run game — both offensively and defensively — played a big role in Sunday's outcome.

Not only did the Cowboys struggle to prevent Ravens rusher Derrick Henry from running all over them, but they also couldn't generate anything on the ground . The disappointing rushing performance has left people wondering if No. 1 RB Ezekiel Elliott is still fit to lead Dallas' backfield.

As a result, one Cowboys insider believes it's finally time for the team to give a practice squad veteran an opportunity.

"Dalvin Cook has to play next week," Cowboys beat reporter Clarence Hill Jr. posted after Sunday's game. "I mean it this time."

The Cowboys announced that they had signed Cook to the practice squad at the end of August. The 29-year-old RB's path to making the 53-man roster wasn't clear, though, considering that Elliott, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn were already signed while each having more experience in head coach Mike McCarthy's offense.

But even if Cook isn't the player he once was, it's hard to argue that the Cowboys' backfield would be worse if he's playing. Elliott has looked abysmal as the featured runner in Dallas, tallying only 62 rushing yards with a touchdown through three games. His 3.3 yards per carry is the worst rate of his nine-year career.

Meanwhile, Cook most recently played 15 games between the Ravens and New York Jets last season. The former Florida State product's best performance finished the year with 292 scrimmage yards on 82 touches, indicating that he might be able to rebound in the right situation.

The disappointing Week 3 loss cemented the Cowboys' backfield as one of the worst in the NFL. Following Sunday's performance, Dallas ranks 30th in carries per game as well as 29th in both rushing yards per game and yards per carry.

Would Cook's presence fix those issues on his own? Probably not, however, the Cowboys may as well allow him the opportunity to prove himself. It isn't as if things could get any worse given how the Elliott-Dowdle-Vaughn trio has performed thus far.

Related: Adam Schefter Blasts Cowboys After Being Burned by Derrick Henry in Week 3

Even though Hill's reaction is only one man's opinion, it's clear that Cowboys fans across the country are ready to give Cook a shot judging by the below social media posts.

"The Cowboys need to give Dalvin Cook some runs and make him active next week," one frustrated fan said. "That RB room is pathetic as hell."

"Someone please explain to me in a football sense why the Cowboys have Ezekiel Elliott active over Dalvin Cook?" another frustrated fan sounded off. "Not in the 'Cowboys love Zeke' sense. Explain it to me in a football way that makes sense."

"Zeke has to go," said another disgruntled Cowboys supporter. "Dalvin Cook needs to be the starting running back Thursday night."

The Cowboys don't have a ton of time to figure out who's going to lead the backfield in Week 4. America's Team faces a quick turnaround as they're set to take on the rival New York Giants in this week's "Thursday Night Football" showdown.