The Minnesota Vikings met the Detroit Lions on Sunday for their third game of the 2022-2023 NFL season. Vikings running back Dalvin Cook was at his best throughout the first several minutes of the game. He gave it his best.
Then 48 seconds ahead of the fourth quarter, tragedy struck. Dalvin suffered a shoulder injury. The Vikings medical team did a quick medical check-up on him and declared him unfit to continue with the game.
Backup Alexander Mattison jumped in, and Dalvin was forced to watch the next minutes of the game from the sidelines as his team gave an improbable comeback to take control over the Detroit Lions. After the game, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said that Cook will be day-to-day.
Cook’s injury came at a time he was enjoying what would have been one of his best games of the season. There is no doubt that he is one of the best Minnesota Vikings players right now.
He had already covered nearly 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Cook is arguably one of the NFL’s most productive running backs, but injuries have eaten most of his time. He suffered a torn ACL which led to the end of his rookie season after playing only four games.
Dalvin Cook has been ruled OUT for the rest of today's game with a shoulder injury. pic.twitter.com/EWaC01PIJL
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 25, 2022
Can the Vikings win the Division?
The Minnesota Vikings have never won the NFC North title since 2017, and they’re also yet to make it to the postseason since 2019. After missing the playoffs in 2021, they dropped head coach Mike Zimmer and decided to seek the services of Kevin O’Connell.
So can Kevin O’Connell lead the Minnesota Vikings to their first NFC North title since 2017? Well, this still remains a point of discussion. But as things stand right now, the Green Bay Packers are in the best position to carry the day again.
The Packers finished last season with a 13-4 record compared to the Vikings, who had 8-9. And yes, the Green Bay Packers did lose one of the NFL’s best wide receivers, Davante Adams, but don’t be fooled. They still have a guy named Aaron Rodgers.
Aaron is one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the history of American football. He joined the likes of Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Joe Montana, and Jim Brown as the fifth person to win NFL MVP in consecutive seasons. So don’t underrate him.
But then, anything can happen, and the Minnesota Vikings could surprise some people. They added some key players during free agency who could bring significant changes in their game.
With the signings of Harrison Phillips, Za’Darius Smith, and Chandon Sullivan, they could pull off a surprising comeback.
Again, O’Connell just joined the Vikings, and he’s doing everything possible to prove everyone otherwise. He wants to make history by winning the division in his debut. And is there a possibility? Nobody knows, but he could pull up a surprise. Who expected the 49ers to go that close to the Super Bowl last season?
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on #Vikings injuries
– Dalvin Cook is day-to-day with his shoulder injury.
– Andrew Booth Jr. will hopefully get some work this week.
– Harrison Smith should be good to go in London against the Saints. pic.twitter.com/QMKcnerc7d
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 26, 2022
Calvin Cook’s Return
Following Cook’s shoulder injury, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that he will be day-to-day. There were also reports that Cook had already told O’Connell that he would play in their next game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
So it seems the chances of Cook playing their week four game are pretty high. According to Florio, the “expectation is Cook will wear a brace and play” on Sunday against the New Orleans. NFL’s own Tom Pelissero also reported a similar thing.
But this is not the first time Calvin Cook has injured his shoulder. Last season, the Vikings running back dislocated his shoulder in their week 12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He also sustained another shoulder injury in 2019. Cook didn’t miss any game as a result of last season’s injury, but he missed two games in 2019.
So probably even this time round, he could return as soon as Sunday. But the condition of his dislocated arm will determine what happens. And the Vikings’ medical team could also recommend at least a one-game break, so he doesn’t sustain further injuries. In the meantime, backup Alexander Mattison is there to cover up for him in the starting lineup.
4️⃣ @Vikings pic.twitter.com/htp7x7Ki3d
— Dalvin “4️⃣” Cook (@dalvincook) September 12, 2022
How Cook’s Injury Will Affect The Vikings Future
When Cook fell to the ground in the last minute of the third quarter of their game against the Lions on Sunday, Vikings fans could not just take it. They knew the worst had befallen their driving force and one of the NFL’s most prolific running backs. Thanks to God, it turned out to be a not-so-serious shoulder injury.
So Cook’s injury interfering with the Vikings’ future odds of winning the Division are very minimal. First, the injury won’t put him down for so long. And remember his team already won the game he was injured in. Second, there’s a perfect replacement for Cook in Alexander Mattison.
The only thing is that opposing teams may take advantage of his injury, but we’re sure the Vikings’ medical team will not release him to go and play without making sure he’s fit to withstand the pressure.
Who will lead the NFL in rushing yards? pic.twitter.com/Tsrvfhl2On
— PFF (@PFF) September 5, 2022
Credits on Featured Image: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
