5 most disappointing Vikings through the first quarter of the 2021 season

Dalvin Cook – RB

It’s not easy for Vikings fans to see a superstar player like Dalvin Cook on a list of disappointing players through the first five games, but it is hard to deny.

Cook has run for just 226 yards on the season, which is quite a bit less than the 489 he had after Week 5 in 2020. He also has six fewer touchdowns and the team is actually 2-0 without him in the lineup.

Cook also had a costly fumble in overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 as Minnesota was attempting to seal the game by getting into field goal range. He may or may not have been down, but Cook has to protect the ball better to avoid that situation altogether.

This isn’t suggesting that the team is better off without their top running back, because they are not. He’s a unique talent who can bust a long run off at any time, changing the momentum and outcome of a game. The fact he has already missed two whole games and half of another one is very disappointing.

That has always been the knock on Cook, he just can’t stay healthy. The Vikings are constantly holding their breath waiting for him to get hurt and this year it happened early in the season.

Who knows if this ankle injury will continue to linger throughout the year, but if Minnesota is going to turn things around, they’ll need their explosive back 100 percent healthy and seeing his usual workload.