12-20-2019, 11:52 AM
Vikings' Dalvin Cook might miss last two regular-season gamesThe standout running back might finish the regular season on the sidelines before returning in the playoffs.
Not only is Cook unlikely to play against the Packers on Monday night, a league source told the Star Tribune, but the Vikings are considering the possibility of not playing Cook in the regular-season finale against the Bears on Dec. 29. The Vikings would clinch an NFC wild-card berth with a 49ers win over the Rams on Saturday night or a win over either the Packers or Bears.
“It’s just about getting healthy,” Cook said when asked about playing through two injuries. “The pain and all that come with the game. You can bear so much, and you can do so much, but it’s all about being healthy. And I think that’s when I’m at my best for my team.”
Cook, a first-time Pro Bowl selection ranked third in the NFL with 1,654 yards from scrimmage, has capable backups in Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone. Mattison, the rookie drafted in the third round, also did not practice Thursday because of an ankle injury. The Vikings offense could be down to its No. 3 running back, Boone, against the Packers’ 24th-ranked run defense.
“We have a lot of confidence in Mike,” Zimmer said. “He’s done a good job, did a good job last week. Hopefully, we don’t need him.”
Cook clarified the new injury is to his left shoulder, separate from the reported right clavicle injury, according to NFL Media, suffered last month against Denver. The Vikings listed Cook with a chest injury on Thursday’s injury report.
After the eighth question Thursday about his injuries, Cook beckoned observers to look at the bright side.
“It’s just two different injuries,” Cook said. “It’s part of the game. It’s football. This ain’t the end of the world, y’all know that right? We’re still playing football. We’re winning. We won Sunday. I’ll be all right."
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-dalvi...566360992/
By Andrew Krammer Star TribuneDecember 20, 2019 — 1:00am
For the first time since suffering the initial chest injury Nov. 17 against the Broncos, Vikings running back Dalvin Cook did not practice Thursday while dealing with an additional injury to his left shoulder from Sunday’s victory over the Chargers.Not only is Cook unlikely to play against the Packers on Monday night, a league source told the Star Tribune, but the Vikings are considering the possibility of not playing Cook in the regular-season finale against the Bears on Dec. 29. The Vikings would clinch an NFC wild-card berth with a 49ers win over the Rams on Saturday night or a win over either the Packers or Bears.
“It’s just about getting healthy,” Cook said when asked about playing through two injuries. “The pain and all that come with the game. You can bear so much, and you can do so much, but it’s all about being healthy. And I think that’s when I’m at my best for my team.”
Cook, a first-time Pro Bowl selection ranked third in the NFL with 1,654 yards from scrimmage, has capable backups in Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone. Mattison, the rookie drafted in the third round, also did not practice Thursday because of an ankle injury. The Vikings offense could be down to its No. 3 running back, Boone, against the Packers’ 24th-ranked run defense.
“We have a lot of confidence in Mike,” Zimmer said. “He’s done a good job, did a good job last week. Hopefully, we don’t need him.”
Cook clarified the new injury is to his left shoulder, separate from the reported right clavicle injury, according to NFL Media, suffered last month against Denver. The Vikings listed Cook with a chest injury on Thursday’s injury report.
After the eighth question Thursday about his injuries, Cook beckoned observers to look at the bright side.
“It’s just two different injuries,” Cook said. “It’s part of the game. It’s football. This ain’t the end of the world, y’all know that right? We’re still playing football. We’re winning. We won Sunday. I’ll be all right."
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-dalvi...566360992/
