The Dallas Cowboys are elevating running back Dalvin Cook from the practice squad, adding an option for the NFL’s worst rushing offense going into a prime-time meeting with rival San Francisco tonight.

Cook signed with the Cowboys late in the preseason but was inactive through six games. Dallas’ running back by committee has been led by Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys’ former two-time rushing champion who returned to his original team in the offseason.

A season-ending knee injury for tight end John Stephens in practice this past week opened the door for Cook to come off the practice squad.

Dallas placed Stephens on injured reserve Saturday, which created a spot on the 53-man roster for Amani Oruwariye. The cornerback had been elevated from the practice squad the maximum three times in Dallas’ previous three games.

Dallas (3-3) has established a decent run game just once, in the second half of a victory at Pittsburgh. The Cowboys are averaging only 77 yards rushing per game going into tonight’s game against the 49ers (3-4).

Cook, who made four consecutive Pro Bowls in Minnesota, signed with the New York Jets last year after the Vikings released him. Cook played sparingly in New York before a late-season release. He appeared in one of two playoff games for Baltimore last season.

Cook has 6,207 yards in seven seasons but has also been a receiving threat with 1,872 career yards. The 29-year-old had 1,918 scrimmage yards in 2020, with 1,557 rushing.

NHL

Edmundson scores twice in Kings win >> Joel Edmundson scored twice and Brandt Clarke had a goal and an assist, helping the Los Angeles Kings beat Utah 3-2 at home.

Signed in free agency to provide more physicality on the blue line, Edmundson showed good offensive skill in his first career multigoal game.

Sabres beat Red Wings 5-3 >> Tage Thompson scored two goals and added an assist to help lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

Rasmus Dahlin had three assists for the Sabres, who have won three straight games for the first time this season. Buffalo didn’t win three games in a row last season for the first time until Feb. 21-25.

Flyers top Wild 7-5 >> Sean Couturier had a hat trick, assisted on the game-winner by Rasmus Ristolainen and Philadelphia snapped a six-game losing streak with a win in Minnesota.

The loss was the first in regulation for Minnesota and snapped its seven-game point streak to start the season.

Ex-Blackhawks standout Hay dies >> Former Chicago Blackhawks forward and Hall of Fame executive Bill Hay has died. He was 88.

Hockey Canada confirmed Hay’s death in a release. Hay was the president and chief operating officer for the organization from 1990-1995. A cause of death was not provided.

Hay played eight NHL seasons with Chicago. He was the NHL rookie of the year for the 1959-60 season, when he had 24 goals and 30 assists in 70 games.

He was a two-time All-Star who had 113 goals before retiring in 1967.

Motorsports

Reddick takes NASCAR pole >> Regular-season champion Tyler Reddick won the pole Saturday for the second race of the third round of NASCAR’s playoffs today at Homestead, Fla.

Reddick turned a 167.452 mph lap in a Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing to best Hendricks Motorsports driver Kyle Larson by 0.077 seconds and take the top starting spot today.

Reddick is one of seven drivers vying for the remaining three spots in the Cup Series championship finale at Phoenix. Joey Logano of Team Penske became the first driver locked into the championship when he won at Las Vegas last week.

WNBA

Aces fire general manager >> The Las Vegas Aces, whose two-time championship run ended in a semifinals loss to New York, fired general manager Natalie Williams.

Williams, the daughter of former Warriors player and McClymonds High star Nate Williams, was hired in 2022 as part of a new regime that included Becky Hammon as coach. The Aces won titles in 2022 and 2023.

Mixed martial arts

Topuria knocks out Holloway >> Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria vowed to become the first man to knock out Max Holloway. He made good on his promise at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

Using a huge right hand to daze Holloway, Topuria (16-0) followed up moments later with a powerful left hook that dropped the 32-year-old. Topuria pounced on Holloway immediately and the fight ended at the 1:34 mark of the third round.