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          Vikings confident run game can roll on without Dalvin Cook

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          Schefter would be surprised if Cook plays against Packers (0:37)

          Despite Minnesota's optimism, Adam Schefter says it's highly unlikely Dalvin Cook plays on Monday night against the Packers because the Vikings need Cook to be healthy in the postseason. (0:37)

          • Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterDec 21, 2019, 11:00 AM
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              Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.

          EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings couldn't anticipate running back Dalvin Cook suffering two shoulder/chest injuries to either side of his upper body with one win standing in their way of a playoff berth. But they were certainly prepared for any scenario this season in which they would be without their leading rusher.

          Cook is unlikely to play Monday night against the Green Bay Packers (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and there's a good chance he will sit out the remainder of the regular season, sources told ESPN.

          With a return to the playoffs all but locked up, prioritizing Cook's health for a postseason run is critical for Minnesota in getting past the NFC's best.The Vikings can clinch their spot in Week 16 with a win over their division rival or if the Los Angeles Rams lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night.

          A win by the 49ers will have no bearing on Cook's status for Monday Night Football, according to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

          Cook, who did not practice Thursday and Friday, said his plan remains the same -- to go through his normal routine, spend as much time as he can in the training room and do everything possible to be in the lineup. But even Cook, whose first two seasons in the NFL were cut short due to injury, knows just how important it is to let his body heal from this recent string of injuries.

          "It's just about getting healthy," Cook said. "Pain and all that comes with the game. You can bare so much. You can do much. But it's all about being healthy, and I think that's when I'm at my best for the team."

          There aren't many NFL teams that carry a stable of backs as deep as Minnesota's. Behind Cook, the Vikings have Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah and fullback C.J. Ham.

          The status of Mattison, the rookie third-rounder who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, is also in question for Monday after an ankle injury sidelined him for the Los Angeles Chargers game and kept him out of practice the past two days. Should the Vikings be without Cook and Mattison against the Packers, Boone jumps from RB3 to lead back as he did in Los Angeles following Cook's third-quarter exit, rushing for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

          With so much of their offense predicated on the run game, the Vikings built a running back room that could be more than just functional in the absence of their top rushers. The Vikings generate the fourth-most rushing yards per game (135.9), and Cook's 13 rushing touchdowns are tied with Tennessee's Derrick Henry for the third most in the NFL.

          Cook, who ranks third in yards from scrimmage (1,654) and seventh in rushing (1,135), also plays an important role in the passing game. The Vikings lead the NFL in yards earned off screen passes to the running back (376, 11.75 yards per attempt). Even in Cook's likely absence, Minnesota doesn't expect a drop-off in this area.

          "They're good in protection, they can catch the ball," Zimmer said. "They're just different guys. Really, the system doesn't change much. I mean, you always have plays for guys and defenses for certain guys and things like that that can help, but you don't wholesale change it."

          Added quarterback Kirk Cousins: "Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah are getting a lot of reps throughout the practice week. Dalvin doesn't take every single rep, so all season long I've been handing off to Ameer, handing off to Alex, handing off to Mike, throwing the ball to all of them. They get a lot of reps in walk-throughs as well throughout the year, and that's why you rely on OTAs and training camp and just keep building up experience every day."

          What they've seen from Mattison (22 rushing yards, 51 receiving yards when Cook went down in Seattle) and Boone when each has had to step into lead roles alleviates trepidation about the run game without Cook.

          "We've got some guys that can play," wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. "As you guys know, throughout this season they've had spurts and they've had moments, but if they're called to step up, I feel like we have 100 percent confidence in them to do their job. Nobody's Dalvin Cook, but we'll see how it goes."