After beating the Detroit Lions 28-24 on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings lost tailback Dalvin Cook to a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
After the game, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell indicated Cook would be day to day.
“We’ll run some tests and should have some time to hopefully get him turned over,” O’Connell said. “… After we scored [their final touchdown], I asked him how he was doing, and he said, ”I’ll be out there next week.’ We’ll do what’s best for Dalvin and make sure that [the team’s medical staff] make those decisions.”
Cook was hurt after gaining 2 yards on a running play with 48 seconds left in the third quarter. He stumbled, fell to the ground, and was observed clutching his upper chest.
Cook was inspected by Vikings medical staff in the blue medical tent, and although he stayed on the sidelines after leaving, the Vikings swiftly decided that Cook couldn’t play.
Cook had just completed his greatest performance of the year, rushing for 96 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. Alexander Mattison, a backup, took over for him.
Over the past five years, Cook has been one of the most effective running backs in the NFL, but injuries have occasionally slowed him down. He has never played the entire slate of games in a season due to an ACL tear that terminated his debut campaign after four games.
He had only gained 107 yards on 26 carries in his first two games under O’Connell’s new offensive system before to Sunday.
