Vikings running back Dalvin Cook could be sidelined through Minnesota’s Week 10 bye, sources tell Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com.
Cook originally injured his hamstring in Week 2 and missed the Vikings’ next game before returning in Week 4. However, Cook managed to play 18 offensive snaps in that Thursday night contest against the Rams, and hasn’t been on the field since. Cook, of course, missed the majority of his rookie season in 2017 after suffering a torn ACL.
If Cook can’t go until Week 11, he’ll miss two massively important games against the Saints and Lions. Veteran Latavius Murray, who has handled the load in Cook’s absence, would again take over as Minnesota’s starting running back. Over the past three weeks, Murray has rushed for 266 yards while averaging 5.32 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. Undrafted free agents Roc Thomas and Mike Boone will take a few snaps, but Murray will shoulder the majority of the work.
Cook, the 41st overall pick in 2017, had injury issues in college, as well, but was excellent in four games as the Vikings’ starter last season. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 74 rushes, scoring twice before that aforementioned ACL injury ended his season. Among running backs with fewer than 100 attempts, Cook ranked eighth in Football Outsiders’ DYAR, which measures value over replacement level.