The Minnesota Vikings may be without their star running back for a while, as Dalvin Cook was injured late in the third quarter of the Vikings’ 34-26 Week 12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings officially ruled Cook out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury. Following the game, the Vikings announced Cook would undergo an MRI on Monday to determine a time frame for his return to the lineup. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting Cook suffered a dislocation.
On a first-down carry with his team trailing 31-26, Cook was tackled in the backfield and stripped of the ball. On his way down, Cook reached for the upper-left side of his chest, seemingly already knowing he was injured. After the fumble recovery, Cook remained down on the field for several minutes as he was attended to by trainers.
Players and coaches from both teams surrounded Cook as he was helped to his feet and placed on a cart. He was eventually taken off the field with tears in his eyes.
Cook missed two games due to injury earlier this season with an ankle iinjury, and was replaced in the lineup by Alexander Mattison in those contests. Mattison would likely fill in for Cook again should he have to miss time late in the year. In his two starts, Mattison carried 51 times for 225 yards, adding 13 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.
