Vikings: Mike Zimmer provides positive update on Dalvin Cook’s injury
The Minnesota Vikings star running back could be back sooner than fans think following injury
The Minnesota Vikings are fighting to stay alive as the season approaches Week 6. With limited success under center, Mike Zimmer and Gary Kubiak have relied heavily on the run game of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison to carry the load. Moving forward, the dynamic duo could become a solo act for several weeks.
In Sunday’s 27-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Cook would leave the game early with a groin injury in the third quarter. The Pro Bowl running back would undergo an MRI Monday to further evaluate the severity. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the MRI proved that things could have been worse than initially feared.
#Vikings RB Dalvin Cook avoided a major injury Sunday night, when he left the loss to Seattle after tweaking his groin. “He’s good,” source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 12, 2020
Minnesota may exercise caution, with 0-5 Atlanta up next before the bye, then a divisional game Nov. 1 at Green Bay.
“It went well,” Zimmer said Monday when asked about the MRI. “So we’ll have to see how he does in practice this week.”
It remains to be seen how long Dalvin Cook will be out
One of the breakout stars of the 2019 campaign, Cook became a sensation with 1,654 total yards and a career-best 13 rushing touchdowns. Earlier this offseason, the Vikings agreed with the former second-round pick to a five-year $63 million deal to keep him as the focal point of the Vikings offense for years to come.
Injuries aren’t something new for Cook and the Vikings. Since entering the league in 2017, the 25-year-old has missed 19 total games, including 17 in his first two seasons. Last year, Cook missed two games due to a lower leg injury.
“Obviously, you don’t want to lose a guy like Dalvin,” Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen said Sunday night. “He’s such a dynamic football player and means so much to this offense.”
The Vikings could elect to rest Cook this upcoming Sunday against the 0-5 Falcons. Atlanta, who recently fired head coach Dan Quinn, currently ranks 13th in run defense behind the play-calling of former defensive coordinator and now interim head coach Raheem Morris. Minnesota will have a bye the following week before facing NFC divisional rival Green Bay at Lambeau Field on November 1.
On Sunday, Cook finished his outing with 90 total yards of offense off 17 carries and a touchdown. Enter Week 6, Cook currently leads the NFL in rushing yards (489), rushing touchdowns (6) and is third in rushing attempts (92).