Officially ruled out
The Vikings have ruled Cook (shoulder) out for Sunday's game against the Lions.
There was never much doubt Cook would sit out Week 13 after he didn't participate in practices Wednesday through Friday upon suffering a painful shoulder injury during the Vikings' Week 12 loss to San Francisco. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Cook was expected to miss two games before returning Week 15 in Chicago, and Josina Anderson of USA Today relayed Friday that timeline remains intact, even though the running back is "doing better" in his recovery. At this point, however, the Vikings haven't made anything official for Cook beyond ruling him out for this weekend's game in Detroit. Alexander Mattison should get all the snaps and touches he can handle in a friendly matchup this Sunday, backed by rookie speedster Kene Nwangwu and potentially practice-squadder A.J. Rose, who would need to be called up by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to play in Sunday's game.
More Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football News
Kirk Cousins
QB | MIN
Sent home Thursday
Cousins wasn't feeling well Thursday and was sent home by the Vikings, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Kellen Mond
QB | MIN
Listed as co-backup on depth chart
Mond and Sean Mannion are listed as co-backup quarterbacks behind starter Kirk Cousins in Minnesota's first depth chart of the preseason released Wednesday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Kene Nwangwu
RB | MIN
Back to practice
Nwangwu (leg) returned to practice Saturday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
K.J. Osborn
WR | MIN
Leader in No. 3 WR battle
Osborn is drawing raves early in training camp and has become the clear leader for the No. 3 receiver role, the Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "He's been really, really good," head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "There's no other way to describe it early on in camp."
Alexander Mattison
RB | MIN
No missed practice
Mattison (finger) practiced Wednesday, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.
Dalvin Cook
RB | MIN
No issues with minor hand injury
Cook (hand) practiced Wednesday, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.
Johnny Mundt
TE | MIN
Could get looks with Irv Smith out
Mundt is the leading candidate for the top tight end role with Irv Smith sidelined for the preseason and possibly early in the regular season after thumb surgery, and Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Mundt has untapped potential as a pass catcher, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Dalvin Cook
RB | MIN
Exits with hand injury
Cook left Tuesday's practice with what appeared to be a hand injury, returned for one snap and then sat out the rest of practice, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Alexander Mattison
RB | MIN
Hurts finger
Mattison appeared to injure a finger during Tuesday's practice and left early, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Irv Smith Jr.
TE | MIN
Week 1 return plausible
The Vikings are hopeful that Smith -- who underwent thumb surgery Tuesday -- will be ready in time to play in Week 1, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports. "We still feel very strongly about our process to get him back," coach Kevin O'Connell noted of the team's top tight end, "and hopefully have him -- barring any setbacks -- available for that opener."