Dalvin Cook might be out for the rest of the 2019 season

The Minnesota Vikings running back will reportedly sit out the team’s Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers due to his shoulder injury.

For the first time since joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2017, Dalvin Cook has been an important part of the team’s success this season.

Cook was hampered by injuries during his first two years with the Vikings. But this season, the 24-year-old running back has appeared in all 14 of Minnesota’s games and his impressive performance has resulted in his first-ever Pro Bowl selection.

However, Cook injured his shoulder last week and his status for the Vikings’ big Week 16 matchup against the Green Bay Packers is reportedly in doubt. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday, the Minnesota running back is, “unlikely,” to play on Monday night against the Packers.

The Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson also added on Thursday that Cook is expected to sit out the Vikings’ Week 17 game against the Chicago Bears in addition to their matchup with Green Bay on Monday night.

The Minnesota running back did not participate in the team’s practice on Thursday, but head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in the day that Cook, “seems to be doing good.”

It sounds like the plan for the Vikings is to keep Cook on the sidelines until the playoffs begin in two weeks. A spot in the postseason for Minnesota is all but guaranteed heading into this week’s matchup and they can even clinch a playoff berth before their game on Monday if the Los Angeles Rams lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.

Would the Vikings like to have Cook out on the field for their final two matchups of the regular season? Of course they would.

But Minnesota would also like their top running back to be healthy enough to make an impact for their offense once the playoffs begin in a couple of weeks.