Somehow, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Dalvin Cook could be ready to play on Thursday Night Football. That was certainly not the expectation when he suffered a torn labrum only 10 days ago. Cook is officially listed as “questionable” for Week 14. Fantasy football managers will be sweating his availability up until the inactives report comes through on Thursday night. What should they expect from Cook if he plays?
Update 12/9/2021: Dalvin Cook is officially active for tonight’s game against the Steelers.
Dalvin Cook’s injury timeline
Cook was an “every-other-week” participant earlier this season, missing Weeks 3 and 5 before Minnesota’s Week 7 bye. He’s battled ankle and shoulder injuries over the years, with his Week 12 labrum injury the latest on the list for him. He played through a torn labrum on one side, then tore the other.
Initially, reports were that the dislocated shoulder and labrum tear would sideline Cook for “a few games,” allowing him to get healthy for a playoff push. Now, after missing only one contest, Cook was able to register a limited practice and is questionable for Thursday.
Alexander Mattison is a top-tier backup
In terms of backup running backs, it doesn’t get much better than Alexander Mattison. Mattison has started three games this year. In those outings, he’s averaged 24.3 carries, 105 rushing yards, 6 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 44.3 receiving yards.
Not many offenses can lose their star running back and suffer no setback in their ground attack, but the Vikings can.
Even given the talent Mattison has displayed when called upon, the Vikings continue to rely solely on Cook whenever he’s healthy. In games this year that Cook hasn’t missed or been sidelined for a portion of the game, Mattison has averaged only 3.3 carries.
Minnesota needs to start looking at their backfield like the Dallas Cowboys are looking at theirs. The Vikings should protect their investment that seems to miss numerous games each season by lightening his workload.
Dalvin Cook fantasy expectations
If Cook plays, you can expect him to get his normal workload unless he re-aggravates one of his numerous injuries. Minnesota doesn’t split carries — they’ll work Cook until he literally isn’t able to stay on the field.
That’s my biggest concern about Thursday, though — can Cook make it through the entire game? If he does, you can expect Cook to be Cook and put up RB1 numbers against a Steelers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs over the last four weeks.
Simply put: if Cook plays, you play him … cautiously.