Minnesota Vikings Best and Worst: Preseason Week 3 vs. Cardinals

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Minnesota Vikings running back Mike Boone (23) runs with the ball while Arizona Cardinals defensive back Chris Jones (25) defends in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Minnesota Vikings running back Mike Boone (23) runs with the ball while Arizona Cardinals defensive back Chris Jones (25) defends in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) rushes for an 85 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The best thing

If there is one thing a team wants to see from a player who has been sitting out the preseason, it is that they have knocked the rust off their game and are prepared to handle the full 16-game regular-season schedule.

It only took Dalvin Cook two carries to prove that he’s ready. His first rushing attempt went for a respectable three yards. However, his next play was a home run, running the ball 85 yards and right into the end zone for the only touchdown of the first half.

Not only that, but this run was the longest preseason rushing touchdown in Minnesota Vikings franchise history according to the team’s PR account on Twitter, so now Cook enters the history books as well.

Cook left the game immediately following that touchdown drive and didn’t return. And that’s fine. Fans and the team got to see what they needed to see and everyone can relax knowing the starting running back is ready to go for Week 1.

Schedule