Vikings RB Dalvin Cook Intends to Keep Playing Despite Injury

Dalvin Cook with Vikings in 2017
Dalvin Cook with Vikings in 2017. Photo by Jason Pohuski/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9065822dx)

Not even an ankle injury can keep Minnesota Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook off the field. It’s no secret that Cook played hurt last week, and it appears he intends to continue doing so moving forward.

Cook confirmed his determination while chatting with reporters ahead of the divisional clash against the Detroit Lions.

“I don’t feel like I’m getting worse. I don’t feel like I’m headed in the wrong direction,” Cook said. “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.”

Cook has missed some practices while nurturing his injury and predicts that will remain the case until he gets healthy. But in the meantime, the Pro Bowler intends to keep listening to his body and avoid aggravating the injury.

Cook sprained his ankles in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s heartbreaking 33-34 loss against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. He was sidelined in Week 3 as a result but ended up making a comeback against the Cleveland Brown last week. The 26-year-old played 33 snaps and finished the contest with 34 rushing yards on nine attempts.

With the Vikings managing Cook’s snaps, the third-year back Alexander Mattison got the opportunity to play more and is using it in the best way possible. This was particularly the case in a 30-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks when Mattison finished the game with career-high 112 rushing yards and six catches for 59 yards.