Dalvin Cook is not expected to suit up and play when the Vikings face the Packers in a huge border battle Monday night, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cook, battling a shoulder injury, could be shut down for the remainder fo the regular season, too, according to a report from ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Her report comes a couple of days after Schefter said he’d be surprised if Cook played again before the playoffs.
On Monday, head coach Mike Zimmer indicated that Cook would be able to play through pain if needed. The third-year running back, who leads the Vikings with 1,135 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns, has departed each of the last two games early because of the shoulder issue.
Both games were blowout wins over the Lions and Chargers, so it’s unclear if Cook would’ve played through pain had the scores been tighter.
If Cook is out and Alexander Mattison can’t play through an ankle injury that sidelined him last Sunday, Minnesota will be down to Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah in the backfield.
The Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a victory Monday night. They can win the NFC North by winning out coupled with the Packers losing out. Green Bay will face the Lions in Detroit in Week 17, while the Vikings stay home to play the Bears.
