Veteran running back Dalvin Cook has found a new home.
Cook is expected to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the matter.
Cook cleared waivers Wednesday and officially became a free agent. The Ravens then jumped on the opportunity to sign the running back. Cook signing in Baltimore comes within the same week that he and the Jets mutually agreed to part ways after he was seldom used in New York.
The Ravens’ decision to sign Cook as they broach a playoff run makes plenty of sense.
Baltimore lost promising rookie running back Keaton Mitchell to a season-ending knee injury last month and lost Week 1 starter J.K. Dobbins in the season opener. Justice Hill, Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordon have been Baltimore’s primary running backs due to the string of injuries at the position.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Quarterback and MVP front runner Lamar Jackson is currently Baltimore’s leading rusher with 821 rushing yards.
Cook isn’t the speedy running back he once was, but he still has tread on his tires. The seventh-year veteran is experienced, can catch passes out of the backfield and still has enough speed and agility to be an effective ball carrier.
Cook had just 67 carries for 217 rushing yards in 15 games in New York. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Minnesota Vikings running back has 6,207 rushing yards and 47 rushing touchdowns in his career.
The Ravens have the AFC’s No. 1 seed all locked up. Cook’s presences gives Baltimore more versatility in their backfield.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
