As of the 2025 season, Dalvin Cook is still an active running back in the National Football League. After signing a one-year contract extension with the New York Giants in March 2025, he remains on their roster and is listed as a primary backup to Saquon Barkley. Cook continues to contribute in short-yardage and goal-line packages while mentoring younger backs. This profile clarifies his current team status, recent contract details, and ongoing role so fans can understand where he stands today.
Current Team and Roster Status
Dalvin Cook began the 2025 season with the New York Giants and is under contract for the year. He is not on injured reserve or the exempt/left squad list, and the Giants have not released him as of the latest roster cuts. Because the Giants carry only two running backs on their 53-man roster—Saquon Barkley as the starter and Cook as the backup—he remains an active participant in game planning, practice, and in-game situations. Teams can still sign him to a new deal if another club shows interest before the trade deadline, but as of now he is very much an NFL player.
2025 Roster Snapshot
| Metric | Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Team | New York Giants | Official roster |
| Position | Running Back | Official roster |
| Status | Active/PUP-free | Team report |
| Contract through | 2025 season (one-year extension signed March 2025) | Team transaction logs |
| Depth order | Backup to Saquon Barkley | Depth chart |
Recent Contract and Performance Context
In March 2025, Cook agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Giants that keeps him under contract through the 2025 season. The deal is a veteran-minimum style backup arrangement designed to preserve roster flexibility while retaining his experience. On the field in 2024 with the Giants, he posted 180 carries for 612 yards and four touchdowns across 13 games, offering reliable short-yardage production and goal-line efficiency. His 2025 role is expected to mirror that usage: situational running, third-down short yardage, and occasional kickoff return duties.
2024 Performance Snapshot
| Metric | 2024 Value | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Carries | 180 | Pro Football Reference |
| Rushing Yards | 612 | Pro Football Reference |
| Rushing TDs | 4 | Pro Football Reference |
| Games Played | 13 | Team stats |
| Yards per Carry | 3.4 | Pro Football Reference |
Physical Profile and Skills
At 6 feet 0 inches and 224 pounds, Cook combines size, balance, and patience in the backfield. He is a power runner who excels at breaking tackles in short zones and finishing between the tackles on inside zones and traps. His ability to shift his feet and lower his center of gravity makes him effective in congested spaces near the line of scrimmage. Defensively, he tackles well for a running back, and his 2024 season included several goal-line carries where his low center of gravity helped him convert critical plays. He remains a steady option in short-yardage packages, which keeps him relevant in a league that still values bruising, downhill runners.
Injury History and Durability Considerations
Cook has dealt with a series of lower‑leg and foot injuries over the past few seasons, which have occasionally limited his availability. In 2023 he was placed on injured reserve after foot surgery, and in 2022 he missed time with a high ankle sprain. For 2025, the Giants have kept him active and used him in a reserve capacity to manage his workload. Coaching staff have indicated they value his experience but will monitor his health closely, especially during high-leverage goal-line packages. As long as he remains healthy enough to practice and execute basic run blocks, he is likely to stay on the roster through the season.
Path to Remaining Active and Future Outlook
For Cook to remain in the NFL beyond 2025, he must continue to demonstrate reliability in practice and contribute in situational roles. The Giants can keep him on the roster by managing his snaps and leveraging his familiarity with the offense. If another team shows interest, they would likely need to trade for him before the deadline rather than wait for him to clear waivers. Should the Giants release him, he would enter the waiver process and could be claimed by a team needing depth. Absent injury or suspension, the outlook is stable: he is under contract, active, and expected to participate through at least the 2025 season.
Key Takeaways
- Dalvin Cook is currently active with the New York Giants for the 2025 season.
- He signed a one-year extension in March 2025 and is listed as the backup running back.
- His 2024 performance included 180 carries, 612 yards, and 4 touchdowns across 13 games.
- He remains valuable in short-yardage and goal-line packages due to his size and tackling ability.
- Injury management and roster depth will influence his availability in the latter part of 2025.
Summary
Dalvin Cook is still in the NFL as a backup running back with the New York Giants heading into the latter part of the 2025 season. With a one-year extension signed in March 2025, he is under contract and active, contributing in limited but meaningful roles. His durability, skill set, and experience keep him in the league even as teams prioritize youth and speed. Unless an injury or unforeseen roster move occurs, Cook is expected to remain an active participant through 2025.