With Dalvin Cook now gone for the year, what’s next for the Vikings?
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday that the rookie running back is done for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer stepped to the podium on Monday and confirmed the absolute worst as he announced that rookie running back Dalvin Cook is finished for the 2017 season after suffering a torn ACL on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Cook went down midway through the third quarter on Sunday and did not return to the field for the remainder of the game. Following the Vikings’ loss to the Lions, the running back was reportedly seen using crutches and sporting a brace on his left leg in the team’s locker room.
Now Minnesota will have to wait until 2018 to see Cook again in their offensive backfield.
Despite some probably hoping that the season would just end today after the loss of the team’s top running back, the Vikings still have at least 12 games left to play this year.
Latavius Murray is assumed to be the back who will take over most of Cook’s snaps in the offense, while Jerick McKinnon’s field time will likely remain the same. At least for now.
At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Murray is a bruising specimen for opponents to try and tackle. During the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Oakland Raiders, the running back scored a total of 18 touchdowns and averaged almost 80 yards from scrimmage per game.
On film, Murray does not seem as a real speed demon out on the field. But his long strides are actually what makes his 4.4 speed look incredibly deceptive.
One would think that Minnesota will likely add another running back to their roster sometime this week. Although, it probably will not be anyone to get that excited about.
And before anyone gets an crazy ideas, the Vikings are not going to trade or sign Adrian Peterson. Let’s just make that loud and clear, it’s not happening.
Next: Vikings' ups and downs vs. the Lions
So is Minnesota going to miss having Cook in their backfield for the rest of the year? Yes, of course. But is their 2017 season over?
Far from it.