Minnesota Vikings, believing it’s time to win, will face Dalvin Cook despite sprained ankle



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EAGAN, Minn. –Dalvin Cook racked up 148 all-purpose yards and a right ankle injury that was classified as a “small sprain” by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer at the end of Minnesota’s 34-33 loss to the Cardinals. ‘Arizona.

Yet despite Cook’s injury, the Vikings still plan to use him as they normally would when they host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in their first game at US Bank Stadium in 636 days.

“You know, at this point it’s time to get some wins,” Zimmer said. “Dalvin is a tough guy. If he can’t play, there’s a reason he’s not playing. But he’s sending us out, so we’re going to keep playing him.”

Cook was injured with 9:52 left in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss when he was tackled low by Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt. The running back wore an Ace bandage on his right ankle during the media presentation on Wednesday and did not participate in practice.

“He was one of them,” Cook said. “Physical game, I knew what we were getting into.

“I know I’m playing running, I’m going to get fucked up. But recovery is key. I’m in the training room a lot with the conditioning trainer, just to make it happen, try to get back in my place. “

Cook was momentarily replaced by running back Alexander Mattison, but returned for the Vikings’ final two sets. His fourth quarter injury was the second he suffered in Week 2, after being face down on the grass at State Farm Stadium for several minutes in the second quarter with a sting, the first he has ever had. declared to have treated.

“I was lying like this because it was different for me because I didn’t know if I should get up, I don’t know where it was coming from,” Cook said. “It was just something different to me than I never felt, so I was just taking precautions and the coaches took care of whatever they were going to take care of.”

Cook ranks fourth in rushing (192 yards), carries (42) and touches (25) among all running backs over the past two weeks and scored his first touchdown in Cincinnati in Week 1. The Pro Bowler has just completed a season where he achieved a career -high 356 touches in 14 games played.

Minnesota are off to a 0-2 start for a second straight season with straight road losses to Cincinnati and Arizona. The Vikings begin a three-game home streak this weekend with Seattle, Cleveland and Detroit coming to town in Weeks 3-5.

“We go back and look at the two games that we lost and compare them to last year, if you want to do that, because it’s different,” Cook said. “You see the courage in the team, and you see it’s different. It’s different when you put them hand in hand. We didn’t get the start we wanted, but I think things come for a reason. That’s what I always look like, look at life. Things happen for a reason. We’re home for three straight games. We could go on crying for three straight weeks. “

“Things happen for a reason just to see where you’re at mentally, and stuff like that. I think mentally we’re in a good space. We know the team that we can be. We know the team that we can be. we aim to be. We just have to do it and make the deal that we haven’t made in the last two weeks. “

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