Why the Vikings should rest Dalvin Cook in Week 5 vs. the Lions

Still dealing with an injured ankle, the Minnesota Vikings should keep running back Dalvin Cook on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions this week.

When it was revealed that Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook would be able to play this past weekend, things certainly felt more optimistic when it came to the chances of the team beating the Cleveland Browns in their Week 4 matchup.

But that optimism quickly faded away once Cook hit the field. He ended up appearing in just 49 percent of Minnesota’s offensive snaps and he finished with only 44 yards on 11 touches.

There were moments throughout the game against the Browns where the Vikings running back was visibly bothered by his ankle injury and it definitely had a significant effect on his performance.

Minnesota Vikings should rest Dalvin Cook in Week 5 vs. the Detroit Lions

During Minnesota’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 is when Cook originally sustained his ankle injury. It was severe enough to keep him out for Week 3, and looking back, he probably should have remained out for Week 4 as well.

When Cook was on the sidelines in Week 3, his backup, Alexander Mattison, filled in admirably. In the Vikings’ win over the Seattle Seahawks, Mattison finished with 171 total yards on 32 touches, easily the best game of his young career.

Unfortunately, Mattison wasn’t able to have the same production last week in Minnesota’s loss to the Browns as he only gained 20 yards on 10 touches (all rushing attempts).

Was Mattison less effective in Week 4 because the Vikings didn’t build a game-plan around him since Cook was active? It’s possible, but having all 10 of his touches be rushing attempts against a smart Cleveland defense definitely didn’t do Minnesota’s No. 2 running back any favors.

On Wednesday, Cook said that he’s going to continue playing while his ankle injury recovers. But he was a non-participant in the Vikings’ practice on Wednesday, so this could turn into something similar to last week when he didn’t practice at all, but he still suited up for the team’s game.

Since Cook is a very important part of Minnesota’s offense and it seems a bit counterproductive for him to play on an injured ankle that is clearly affecting his performance, the team should do what’s best for their top running back and have him sit this week against the Detroit Lions.

The Vikings have already proved once this season that they can still be successful on offense with Mattison as their primary back. So why not do it again against a Lions team that ranks 24th in run defense this season?

If Cook goes out on the field this weekend and is clearly hobbled by his ankle again, who is that going to help? It’s going to likely have a negative impact on Minnesota’s rushing attack and it could affect Cook’s status for the team’s Week 6 road game against a tough 3-1 Carolina Panthers team.

So the Vikings should do themselves, and their top running back, a favor this week and keep him on the sidelines when they take on Detroit.