Dalvin Cook will not play in Minnesota’s season finale Sunday against the Detroit Lions after his father, James, died unexpectedly at the age of 46, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
#Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has returned home to Miami after his father, James, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday.
Cook wanted to finish out an All-Pro caliber season, but felt it was best to be back home with his younger siblings. He won't play Sunday against the #Lions.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 30, 2020
The report of Cook’s father’s death has been confirmed by numerous sources, though circumstances of James Cook’s death have not been reported.
Source says that #Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is flying now back home to Miami due to his father James Cook dying at the age of 46. Cook will not play in Sunday's finale at Detroit. Source said James Cook had been diabetic. Condolences to Dalvin's family.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 30, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJZJv7SBv0o
Cook finishes the 2020 season with 1,557 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games. He added 361 yards and one touchdown on 44 receptions. Cook’s 1,918 total yards currently leads the NFL.
He’ll finish second to Derrick Henry of the Titans for the rushing title. Henry has 1,777 yards in 15 games entering Week 17.
Both the Vikings and Lions have been eliminated from playoff contention, so the only thing that’ll be impacted by the Week 17 result is each team’s final record and draft position.
