Vikings News: Dalvin Cook not expected to play in Week 6 vs. Falcons

The Minnesota Vikings running back will reportedly sit out the team’s next game.

After the first four games of the 2020 season, it seemed like the Minnesota Vikings were going to have a running back end the year as the NFL’s leader in rushing for the first time since 2015. But that could now be in danger of happening.

Currently, Dalvin Cook leads the league in rushing with 489 yards on the ground. However, Cook suffered a groin injury during the Vikings’ Week 5 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and his status for the next few weeks is currently uncertain.

With Minnesota having their bye after their next game, some believe the team will rest their top running back when they take on the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday. According to a recent report, this seems to be exactly what is going to happen.

Vikings News: Minnesota expected to rest Dalvin Cook in Week 6

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said on Monday that Cook’s MRI “went pretty well,” and the team would see how he does this week before determining if he will play in Week 6 against the Falcons.

Well, according to The Athletic’s Chad Graff on Tuesday, Minnesota is expected to sit their top running back when they take on Atlanta. Instead, the Vikings will turn to Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone to lead their rushing attack.

In Week 5, Cook was having himself a great night with 94 total yards and a touchdown after the game’s first two quarters. But then the old injury bug made its first appearance this season and the running back missed the majority of the second half with an injured groin.

Ideally, Minnesota would like to have Cook back on the field when they return from their bye in Week 8 to take on the rival Green Bay Packers. But with the type of injury that he is currently dealing with, the Vikings also don’t want to rush him back too soon and cause his ailment to become even worse.

Luckily, Minnesota has a talented group of running backs on their roster this year behind Cook and the team should still be able to have success on the ground during their upcoming matchup with the Falcons.