Dalvin Cook will be in uniform when the Vikings take on the Steelers tonight. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Pro Bowl running back will play tonight vs. Pittsburgh. Cook will wear a shoulder harness, and he’s expected to see a normal workload.
As Schefter points out, Cook previously played with a shoulder harness during a 2020 wild-card game against the Saints. In that game, he collected 130 yards and two touchdowns on 31 touches.
Cook was expected to to miss two games due to a labrum tear and shoulder dislocation, but the running back seemed to be progressing in the right direction throughout the week. After sitting out Week 13, Cook passed all necessary tasks and took first-team reps at practice this week. The 26-year-old has also regained full range of motion in his shoulder.
The Vikings could have kept Cook out of the lineup and provided the RB with an extra 11 days of rest between now and their MNF game in Week 15. However, with the team clinging to wild-card hopes, the organization is obviously prioritizing winning. Minnesota’s recent loss in Detroit bumped the team down to 5-7, and the Vikings will already be without Adam Thielen tonight. The team ruled out the veteran wide receiver, who is battling a high ankle sprain.
A Pro Bowler in each of the past two years, Cook is in the first season of a five-year, $63MM extension. He has missed three games this season, leading to high-end backup Alexander Mattison making starts.
One of the Steelers NT’s will “awkwardly” fall on his shoulder and his night will be done in the first quarter.
If only the Steelers had a legit NT lol
If only we still had Kimo!
Didn’t age well..
Neither am I. Oh well.