It was a heart-wrenching scene in a game against the 49ers. Dalvin Cook was carted off the field after suffering an apparent shoulder injury. At the time, Cook’s return this season was in doubt.
The news after the game revealed Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder and a torn labrum, which usually takes 4-6 weeks to recover from. After missing only one game, the latest news is that Cook is expected to play tonight against the Steelers. The Vikings have done this before. They’re rushing Cook back because they believe he’s the key to them making the playoffs. Putting a probably still injured player back on the field doesn’t help a team win. If anything, it puts Cook’s future career in jeopardy. The Vikings are making a mistake if they put Cook back on the field tonight. Here’s why.
Playing For The Playoffs
After an ugly loss to the Lions, the Vikings are struggling to stay afloat in the playoff race. With 5 games left, the Vikings will need to win at least 4 for a good chance at making it to the post season. Considering Mike Zimmer’s run the ball mentality, it’s been important to have an elite running on the Vikings for years. Cook has been a difference maker when healthy for the Vikings. He’s also been a key part of their run the ball identity. That’s not the case this season, however.
Over the past 4 games, the Vikings offense has shifted to a pass the ball identity. Kirk Cousins is throwing for big yardage in every game to elite receivers like Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and KJ Osborn. Even Tyler Conklin is making an impact on this offense. Who the running back is matters less on this kind of offense. All the Vikings need is someone who can convert key 3rd downs and score when close to the red zone. Rushing Dalvin Cook back from injury makes almost no sense, considering Alexander Mattison has proven good at doing that.
The Run Game Is Fine Without Cook
Alexander Mattison has made 3 starts at running back this year, while Cook was out due to injury. In 2 of those games, Mattison finished with over 100 yards. Against the Lions, he finished with 90 yards. Mattison has proven when Cook is injured that he is more than capable of being a starting running back. In some cases, Mattison has looked better than Cook this year.
Since suffering a sprained ankle in Arizona in week 2, Cook has looked noticeably less explosive. He’s only had 2 100 yard games since that game. At this point last season, Cook had 6 games over 100 yards. Cook is still racking up yardage this season and making big plays, but he just hasn’t been as explosive. Honestly, after watching Mattison and Cook play this year, there doesn’t seem to be that big of a difference between the two. Rushing Cook back, when Mattison is a backup with starting caliber talent, makes no sense.
Considering Cook’s Future
Let’s get one thing straight; I think Dalvin Cook is a great player. At his peak, he’s arguably as good as Adrian Peterson in his prime. When Cook is missing games due to injury, I miss seeing him on the field. He’s a leader, an elite running back, and a reliable pass catcher. But we have to start being realistic here. Running back is one of the most physically demanding positions in football. As running backs get older, injuries typically start to pile up and they start to slow down. Todd Gurley is a perfect example. After a hot start to his career, Gurley isn’t currently on an NFL team. Gurley is 27 years old.
Dalvin Cook is 26. He’s missed time every year due to injury. As he gets older, it will take more time for injuries to heal. He’ll also become more injury prone. Every time Cook takes the field now, I worry that he’ll be injured. What’s worse is the worry that the next injury will potentially end his career as a Viking. It’s obvious Dalvin Cook wants to play. The real question is should he play. The fact that Cook is consistently put on the field to early after injury is the fault of the coaching staff. Cook does make a difference while healthy, but it’s obvious that coaching isn’t considering his long-term health. It’s yet another symptom of terrible coaching that has plagued Minnesota in recent years.
Follow us on twitter!
Check out our shop!
Discover more from Fantom Sports Industries
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One response
[…] I personally questioned Dalvin Cooks’ quick return from injury in a previous article. Suffice to say, Dalvin Cook made me eat my own words in his most explosive game of the 2021 season. Against the Steelers, Cook ran for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns. He proved that he is still one of the best running backs in the league and can still tear up a defense. Going up against a struggling Bears’ defense, the Minnesota Vikings should look to use the same game plan they used against the Steelers. […]