7 biggest takeaways from the Vikings win over the Lions in Week 3

Minnesota needs to protect Cook from himself

Right before Dalvin Cook could earn his first 100-yard performance on the ground this season, the injury bug struck the running back on a play in the middle of the third quarter on Sunday.

It was later revealed that Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder, the same injury that he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers last year. The Vikings running back didn’t miss any time due to the injury last season, and it sounds like he doesn’t plan on missing any time due to the injury this year either.

Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed to reporters after Sunday’s game that Cook told him he’s going to play next weekend against the Saints, despite his injured shoulder. O’Connell said this with a smile, knowing how competitive the Cook is, but the Vikings head coach also knows that he’s not going to risk his top running back’s health in the fourth game of a long season if there’s a threat of worsening his injury.

Minnesota is going to run some additional tests on Cook’s injured shoulder to help determine if he should play against New Orleans. But if there is even the slightest indication that it would be best for the running back to take at least one week off, the Vikings should give it to him.

Cook wants to play no matter what, but Minnesota would much rather have him available for a possible playoff push at the end of the season instead of a Week 4 game against a 1-2 Saints team that they can probably defeat without their top running back.