Dalvin Cook‘s shoulder injury will likely shelve him for the biggest game of the Vikings’ regular season. The third-year running back is unlikely to play against the Packers on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes.
The Vikings have now confirmed Cook will miss Week 16, and Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com adds the team is considering shelving its Pro Bowl back for the rest of the regular season in order to have him healthier for the playoffs. Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot with a Monday win, but with the Vikings holding a two-game lead on the Rams for the NFC’s No. 6 seed, Football Outsiders gives them a 98.2% chance to qualify.
Mike Zimmer said Cook was “doing good,” and the Vikings’ 1,000-yard rusher indicated he would play if sufficiently healthy (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). Cook has not missed a game this season but certainly has an injury history of note. An ACL tear ended Cook’s rookie season, and multiple hamstring setbacks limited him to 11 games last year. Cook initially injured his shoulder in Week 11.
Neither Cook nor backup Alexander Mattison practiced Wednesday. The latter missed Week 15 with an ankle injury, leaving second-year UDFA Mike Boone in command of the backfield. The Vikings gave Mattison a questionable designation for Monday’s game.
Prior to Sunday’s win, Boone had previously logged just eight carries this season. He rushed for two touchdowns against the Chargers. The Vikings also have Ameer Abdullah (13 carries this season) and C.J. Ham (five) as potential ball-carrying options.
Biggest game of the Vikings regular season? I suspect this will be a totally meaningless game for the Vikings as they will probably be locked into the 6 seed after the Rams lose to the 49ers Saturday. If the current betting line continues to place Minnesota as 5 1/2 point favorites, I will jump all over the Packers who are still looking to nail down a first round playoff bye.
Ok
If you think the Rams losing locks the Vikes into the 6 seed already, I’m sorry for you friend. Lots of scenarios still out there
You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. If the Rams lose either one of their remaining games. The Vikings are in the playoffs. If the Vikings win at least one of their remaining 2 games. It doesn’t matter what the Rams do.