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
Chris Herndon
TE | MIN
Taken off COVID list
The Vikings activated Herndon (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Adam Thielen
WR | MIN
Expects to be ready for spring
Thielen expects to be ready for spring workouts after Dec. 28 ankle surgery, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "It's a pretty easy recovery, a few more weeks here and I should be feeling back to normal," he said.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
WR | MIN
Pair of long receptions
Smith-Marsette recorded three catches on three targets for 103 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Bears.
Kirk Cousins
QB | MIN
Three touchdowns in return
Cousins completed 14 of 22 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Bears.
Justin Jefferson
WR | MIN
Another 100-yard effort
Jefferson recorded five receptions on seven targets for 107 yards in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Bears.
Dalvin Cook
RB | MIN
Light workload in finale
Cook rushed the ball 14 times for 79 yards in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Bears. He added one reception for three yards.
Eric Kendricks
LB | MIN
Sidelined for Week 18
Kendricks (illness) won't be available for Sunday's game against the Bears after the Vikings didn't reinstate him from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Saturday's deadline for Week 18 roster moves, Will Ragatz of SI.com reports.
Sean Mannion
QB | MIN
Returns to backup role
Mannion will return to a backup role for Sunday's season finale against the Bears after head coach Mike Zimmer said Kirk Cousins (illness) will reclaim starting duties following his return from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Kirk Cousins
QB | MIN
Returns from COVID-19 list
Minnesota activated Cousins (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday afternoon, shortly after head coach Mike Zimmer said Cousins will start Sunday's game against Chicago, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Kirk Cousins
QB | MIN
In line to return from COVID list
Cousins (illness) is on track to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.