Tag: Dalvin Cook

5 takeaways from Jets’ dreadful 34-13 loss to Dolphins

Here are 5 takeaways from the Jets’ lopsided 34-13 defeat to the Dolphins in Week 12.

The New York Jets are steadily falling to the wayside in the AFC playoff race following a devastating 34-13 defeat to the Miami Dolphins on Friday. With another loss on the schedule, the Jets have lost four consecutive games and own a 4-7 record.

Even with a quarterback change, it was more of the same from New York’s offense. The entire game was perfectly illustrated with the Jets recording an interception on defense then Tim Boyle immediately throwing a pick-six on a Hail Mary right before halftime.

For yet another embarrassing loss for the Jets, here are our five immediate takeaways from the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Dolphins.

WATCH: James, Dalvin Cook take moment together after Bills vs. Jets

WATCH: James, Dalvin Cook take moment together after #Bills vs. #Jets”

The Bills defeated the Jets in Week 11, 32-6, and as some would imagine, the Cook brothers took a moment together after the game.

Despite a bit of a fight notably breaking out in the tunnel at Highmark Stadium, James and Dalvin Cook caught up after those festivities and chatted while walking off the field together in Orchard Park.

No hard feelings between those two… but for those wondering, the Bills brother had 73 rushing yards, meanwhile, the Jets one had only 13.

Check out the Cook bros in the NFL clip below:

[lawrence-related id=127178,127176,120409]

6 takeaways from Jets’ 32-6 blowout loss to Bills

Here are our six immediate takeaways from the Jets’ 32-6 lopsided defeat to the Bills in Week 11.

The New York Jets are gradually falling out of the AFC playoff race following a 32-6 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. With the team’s third consecutive loss, the Jets are now 4-6, and the hopes of Aaron Rodgers making a late-season return to the offense are waning.

For what seems like the billionth time this season, the offense was stagnant, producing just six points on the road in what was essentially a must-win game. Since posting 20 points against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, the Jets have scored 13 or fewer points in four straight games out of their bye week.

Here are our six immediate takeaways from the Jets’ 32-6 lopsided defeat to the Bills in Week 11.

Bills vs. Jets: Team connections

Connections between players on both teams:

The Buffalo Bills will host the New York Jets for a Week 11 matchup on Sunday at 4:35 p.m.

It’s a brand new NFL weekend with plenty on the line for both teams. But for some on the Bills (5-5) and Jets (4-5) there is a bit more on the line than some others.

That’s because some players and coaches for both teams could be playing against their former teams. That can create a little bit of extra motivation for them heading into Sunday.

With that, here’s a quick list of connections the two teams have with one another ahead of the upcoming matchup at Highmark Stadium:

Jets show seriousness of ‘personnel changes’ with Michael Carter release

Jets show seriousness of ‘personnel changes’ with Michael Carter release

Head coach Robert Saleh said earlier this week that the New York Jets would be considering “personnel changes” in the hopes of adding a spark on offense following another disappointing showing in their 16-12 Week 10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. On Tuesday, the Jets already starting making a mark on those changes by releasing running back Michael Carter.

Carter was released following a performance Sunday that saw him play just nine snaps on offense, mainly on third down, and commit a chop-block foul in the third quarter. That ended up being his final snap as a Jet.

The Jets were expected to make changes on offense, but one would have thought the Jets would simply bench Carter to allow rookie Israel Abanikanda to start seeing the field more after being a weekly inactive this season. Instead, the Jets made a statement that they are serious about trying to take a step forward on offense by simply removing Carter from the equation altogether and releasing him. That should give the Jets the ability to use the speed of Abanikanda as a compliment to Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook, who should also see more action going forward after showing improvement in limited snaps Sunday.

Carter’s release comes on the same day of a reported players-only meeting Tuesday, a meeting wide receiver Garrett Wilson and tight end Tyler Conklin hinted after the loss Sunday could happen soon. In the end, Carter ends up the odd man out in New York.

Carter was drafted in the fourth round out of North Carolina in the 2021 NFL Draft and showed some promise early in his career. Carter led the Jets in rushing with 639 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per attempt. He also caught 36 passes for 325 yards. That’s almost 1,000 total yards from scrimmage as a rookie.

The Jets would go on to draft Hall out of Iowa State in the second round in 2022. Carter stuck around and was eventually needed when Hall suffered a torn ACL in Week 7. However, Carter began struggling and the Jets started utilizing rookie Bam Knight into the offense. In the end, Hall led the Jets in rushing last season with 463 yards, despite playing in only seven games.

2023 saw the Jets add Cook and Abanikanda to the mix to build up the running back room and allow the team to be cautious with Hall. Carter, on the other hand, never really factored into the plans. There was speculation he was even on the roster bubble but would eventually take hold of the No. 3 spot with Abanikanda as the No. 4, leaving Knight as the odd man out.

It took a bit for the Jets to piece together their running back room. They seem to have a nice foundation going forward. Unfortunately for Carter, his drop in production — dropped passes and silly penalties don’t help either — mean he won’t be a part of that foundation going forward. He’ll latch on somewhere else, but he ends up an example as the Jets try to turn the ship around in time to make a playoff push.

Jets release RB Michael Carter

The Jets have moved on from Michael Carter, paving the way for Israel Abanikanda.

The Jets have released running back Michael Carter, the team announced Tuesday. The move certainly comes as a surprise. Some thought the Jets would simply keep Carter on the bench but they choose to straight up move on from him.

Head coach Robert Saleh mentioned earlier this week that the team could be looking at some “personnel changes” to try and provide a spark for the offense. This move certainly would count as such a change.

The move paves the way for rookie Israel Abanikanda to start suiting up for the Jets. Abanikanda was injured during the preseason and has been inactive for every game this season, but that looks to change starting Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Carter had a solid rookie season with 639 rushing yards and four touchdowns. But his production and ability had started declining since then. He has carried the football just eight times this season as he fell behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook.

Carter played just eight snaps Sunday against the Raiders and was benched following his chop-block penalty in the third quarter.

Since the trade deadline has passed, Carter is subject to the waiver system. Carter was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 draft by the Jets out of North Carolina.

Dalvin Cook reached out to Kirk Cousins after QB’s season-ending injury: ‘That’s my guy’

USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon sits down for an interview with former Viking Dalvin Cook.

Dalvin Cook is currently competing for the New York Jets but still has strong feelings for his former QB in Minnesota, Kirk Cousins. 

Cousins had surgery this week to repair his torn Achilles, and Cook, who went to four straight Pro Bowls with the Vikings, told USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon that he told Cousins that he wished him the best of luck in his recovery.

 “That’s my guy,” said Cook. “I extended my love out to him, and he reached back and just told me he appreciated it.”

 While Cook has gotten off to a slow start with the Jets — logging just 114 yards in seven games — the 35-year-old Cousins had been playing well (18 TD passes to five interceptions) before the injury ended his season. 

Salmon, the host of Sports Seriously, also spoke with Cook about Aaron Rodgers and the ideal way for an NFL running back to be used. 

 Catch more from their conversation by clicking on the link above.

Robert Saleh isn’t worried about Dalvin Cook and Carl Lawson becoming distractions

Robert Saleh isn’t worried about Dalvin Cook and Carl Lawson becoming distractions

Jets running back Dalvin Cook and defensive end Carl Lawson both are clearly unhappy with their reduced roles this season. Head coach Robert Saleh still believes in both players and that they will be key contributors by the end of the season.

Both Cook and Lawson were subjects of trade speculation before Tuesday’s trade deadline, but the Jets decided to stand pat. Their biggest move Tuesday was adding veteran offensive lineman Rodger Saffold to their practice squad.

Saleh told reporters Wednesday that he is not “overly worried” about Cook or Lawson becoming distractions this season, despite both expressing their displeasure in some form. Saleh said both Cook and Lawson expect more of themselves and expect more opportunities. He also believes they will have roles moving forward, echoing what general manager Joe Douglas said Tuesday.

“They’re going to be needed by year’s end,” Saleh said.

Saleh recently said these early weeks are still like a preseason for Cook because he joined the team late (signing in early August). Through seven games, Cook has rushed 41 times for 114 yards, good for just a 2.8 yards per carry average. This after signing for $7 million. Breece Hall has taken control of the backfield, while Cook and Michael Carter take whatever scraps of snaps are left behind. Cook played just eight snaps against the Giants.

Lawson took a paycut this offseason to stay with the team and has now been inactive three times this season, including last week against the Giants. A back injury limited him in training camp and the Jets held him out of the season opener. Even when he plays, his role has diminished. Jermaine Johnson has blown past him on the depth chart and has been arguably the best defensive end for the Jets. Even Bryce Huff, in limited action, continues to be much more effective than Lawson.

Despite all that, the Jets still think there is a role for these two and that everything will be okay by the end of the season.

Ravens looking to add a running back ahead of the NFL trade deadline

We’re looking at five running backs the Baltimore Ravens could target at the NFL trade deadline.

Baltimore is one of the top teams in the AFC and should certainly look to be aggressive buyers trying to stack talent for the stretch run.

John Harbaugh’s team is stacked at critical positions but could look to make a move and add another dynamic skill player.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Ravens want to add a running back ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

Russini reports that Derrick Henry won’t be made available by the Titans, and with Baltimore looking to add more talent, we’ve highlighted five running backs that make sense.

Dalvin Cook growing frustrated, to talk to agent about trade

Dalvin Cook growing frustrated, to talk to agent about trade

Dalvin Cook’s time with the Jets may already be coming to an end. Per ESPN Jets beat writer Rich Cimini, Cook is growing frustrated with his reduced role in the offense and will talk to his agent and general manager Joe Douglas about a potential trade.

The trade deadline is Tuesday, October 31 at 4 p.m. ET.

With the re-emergence of Breece Hall after his recovery from ACL surgery, the Jets have not had much of a need for Cook, who has struggled through the team’s first six games, showing a loss of the explosiveness that made him so effective in Minnesota. Cook is averaging less than three yards per rushing attempt on 39 carries.

For comparison, Hall has rushed 65 times and is averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

“It’s something I can’t control, that my name is being floated around in trade rumors,” Cook said, via Cimini. “It might be a good thing. Maybe [it’s] a bad thing.” Cook also said he wants what’s “best for everybody” when it comes to any trade talks.

Cook signed a one-year, $7 million deal in August. One of the reasons the Jets added him was so they could be cautious about Hall and his return to the field. Hall returned to practice the day after Cook signed.

Eventually, the Jets took Hall off his limited snap count, and Cook became less needed in the offense.

If a team wants to trade for Cook, they would owe him about $3.3 million for the remainder of the season.

The Jets will perhaps have to settle for something like a late-round draft pick swap next year or even in 2025, similar to the deal they made to trade Mecole Hardman to the Chiefs this month.