After missing Week 3, Dalvin Cook returned to the field for Week 4 but struggled as he battled through an ankle injury. However, the Vikings running back isn’t intending to miss another game as he nurses the injury.
“I don’t feel like I’m getting worse,” Cook said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “I don’t feel like I’m headed in the wrong direction. I feel like I’m headed in the right direction to get myself back to where I need to be at. You have those days, but we just played a game. Just trying to work myself back to being 100% so I can help us win games.”
The running back has dealt with his a share of injuries throughout his career, missing a total of 21 regular season games through his first four seasons in the NFL. The Vikings are prioritizing his long-term health, and they naturally sat him out of practice late this week.
Cook had a hot start to the season, scoring two touchdowns in Week 1 and collecting 148 yards from scrimmage in Week 2. It was during that latter game that the running back suffered his ankle injury, forcing him out of the lineup for Week 3. He returned last weekend but collected only 44 yards on 11 touches.
Fortunately, if the Vikings star does miss another game, the team is set at the position. Backup Alexander Mattison rushed for 112 yards and added another 59 yards through the air in Week 3.
Kudos to Cook for wanting to tough it out, but I think he should sit and heal instead. The Vikings can beat the Lions without him and if he makes it worse by playing and he ends up missing significant time because of it the Vikings are done this year.
I understand that he’s in a pretty tough position, and I admire Cook for trying to to put as much work in as possible. However, I don’t think this is a good idea for him. He’s missed a lot of games, and wants to both help his team and put his work on the table, but this could just end up costing more in the long run. Cook was serviceable, but definitely didn’t look like his normal self in their last game. If I were a fan, or even a coach, I may want Cook to just take the hit now and get back to full strength later. It’s just a bad situation-it may be better to take a little hit now than a bigger one later.
Would like to think the Vikings are smart enough to not play him this weekend and get him 100% healthy.
Would also like to think they can beat the Lions without his services as well.
But wth do I know , I also though they would be at least .500 now.
If they lose this weekend they may as well entertain offers on the entire roster.