Star running back Dalvin Cook will be back in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Vikings’ Thursday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers just 11 days after dislocating his left shoulder.
Not only that, but Cook is expected to maintain a full workload as the Vikings’ top ball-carrier, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, while wearing a shoulder harness. The running back previously wore a hardness at the end of the 2019 season, when he nursed a shoulder injury during Minnesota’s wild card game against the Saints but still carried the ball 31 times.
Cook was carted off the field during the Vikings’ Week 12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and an MRI reportedly revealed that he suffered a torn labrum. However, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that Cook didn’t tear his labrum, and would just be day-to-day. The Pro Bowler missed Sunday’s 29-27 loss to the Detroit Lions, but Alexander Mattison recorded 124 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown in his absence.
In nine games this season, Cook has rushed for 773 yards and four touchdowns on 171 carries. He sat out of practice Monday and was a limited participant Tuesday and Wednesday. The Vikings certainly need Cook if they want to fight their way back into the win column, as the Steelers have the sixth-worst run defense in the NFL. Minnesota also has other notable injuries on offense, as star wide receiver Adam Thielen and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw have already been ruled out due to ankle injuries.
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