Vikings running back Dalvin Cook returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday after missing a game with an ankle injury and expressed optimism about playing against Cleveland on Sunday. There is also optimism about tackle rookie Christian Darissau, who was a full participant in practice for the first time this season after being interrupted by a groin injury.
Cook was injured in a 34-33 loss to Arizona on September 19, didn’t practice all week, and recorded a 30-17 win over Seattle at US Bank Stadium last Sunday. He was looking forward to playing until the morning of the game.
“I got up and couldn’t play,” Cook said before Wednesday’s practice. “In this league, you’re either going to play or you can’t. In this league, people are flying around and doing all kinds of things, and my game has to be explosive. If I’m not explosive I can’t go there or help my team win a football match.”
Alexander Mattison replaced Cook and achieved a career-high run of 112 yards. But now Cook is looking forward to a comeback against Cleveland at US Bank Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s really hard to attack my rehab every day,” he said. “We’ll see how this thing goes, but I’m pretty confident about what’s happening to us in the training room and what they’re doing to get me back on the field. I am very sure. We’ll see how this week goes and how I respond.”
Returning to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday were linebackers Anthony Barr, who missed all three games this season with a knee injury, and cornerback Harrison Hand, who sat out with a hamstring injury in the last two games. . And Darrisaw, who has been out of all three games, was listed on injury reports as a full participant for the first time this season.
Darrisaw missed the first week of training camp due to his groin injury, underwent a medical procedure on 12 August and returned to practice on a limited basis on 6 September. On Wednesday, starter Rashod Hill was given a veteran’s day off in practice, so Darissau supposedly got a lot of first-team reps in the left tackle. It remains to be seen whether the Vikings can move Darissau into the lineup over Hill in the near future, ranked 72nd among 74 NFL tackles by Pro Football Focus.
There were a total of 15 names in the injury report on Wednesday. Also being given a veteran’s day off were cornerback Patrick Peterson, safety Harrison Smith and wide receiver Adam Thielen. Cornerback McKinsey Alexander did not attend due to a personal matter and tight end Tyler Conklin (glute/elbow) and wide receiver Ihmar Smith-Marsett (toe) did not practice due to injuries.
In addition to Cook, Bar and Hand, the linebackers listed as limited were Eric Kendrick (hip), cornerback Chris Boyd (hamstrings) and safety Xavier Woods (hamstrings). All played against Seattle.
In addition to Darissau, the kicker listed in the report as a full participant was Greg Joseph (right hip).
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Thielen has made four touchdowns in the first three games after scoring a career-high 14 runs last year. Quarterback Kirk Cousins Said he recently told Thielen, “You’re starting to be like Chris Carter, just catching touchdowns over and over again.” … dealing with the nose Michael Pierce Minnesota awarded nearly six game balls after the win over Seattle, and the recipients included defensive tackles. Dalvin Tomlinson and linebacker Nick Vijillo. … In last Sunday’s 26-6 win over Chicago, Cleveland had nine sacks, including 4 1/2 by . was also involved Miles Garrett. “You’re very aware of the crowds nearby and insisting on not letting that happen for two weeks in a row,” said the cousin.
