Cook out, Mattison questionable vs. Packers

If Mattison can’t play, we’ll see plenty of second-year running back Mike Boone.

It’s official. The Vikings will be without running back Dalvin Cook (chest) in Week 16 on Monday Night Football against the Packers.

There’s still hope, though, for rookie running back Alexander Mattison. Mattison is questionable with an ankle injury.

It seems unlikely that Mattison would suit up, but there appears to be a chance.

If Mattison can’t play, we’ll see plenty of second-year running back Mike Boone, who ran for two touchdowns last week against the Chargers. Ameer Abdullah will also receive some extra touches.

Vikings rule out RB Dalvin Cook, RB Alexander Mattison questionable vs. Packers

The Vikings could be without their top two running backs on Monday night against the Packers.

The Minnesota Vikings will be without their Pro Bowl running back on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, and they might not have his top backup available, either.

The Vikings ruled out Dalvin Cook (chest) for Monday night’s NFC North showdown with the Packers, who can clinch the division title with a win. Alexander Mattison, Cook’s top backup, is questionable with an ankle injury.

If Cook and Mattison can’t go, third-string running back Mike Boone would take over as the lead back.

Cook, a first-time Pro Bowler in 2019, ran for a season-high 154 yards and ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run in the first meeting against the Packers. Cook and Mattison combined for 179 rushing yards on 24 carries in Week 2.

Over the Vikings’ first 14 games, Cook produced 1,654 yards and 13 total touchdowns for the run-heavy, screen-heavy Minnesota offense. Mattison is averaging 4.6 yards per carry over 100 carries.

The Vikings rank third in rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns and fourth in rushing yards this season.

Boone, an undrafted free agent from Cincinnati, rushed 13 times for 56 yards and two scores as the Vikings routed the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Minnesota also has former Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah.

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Mike Boone will fit right in with the Vikings run scheme

Boone is coming off a two-quarter performance against the Chargers, where he ran the ball 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

The Minnesota Vikings are back at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night, where they will take on the NFC North leading Green Bay Packers. In a game that usually comes down to the wire, the Vikings are looking like they’ll be without one of their top players.

According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, it is unlikely Dalvin Cook plays on Monday night, and there have been several reports saying that Cook’s regular season has come to an end. 

Not only is Cook unlikely to play, but rookie running back Alexander Mattison has also been held out of both Thursday and Friday’s practices. Not practicing on the Friday leading up to a game is usually an indication that given player won’t play. However, the Vikings play on Monday Night Football, so they will have an extra day to work out their top two running backs on their depth chart. 

The Packers are coming into this game ranking 24th in terms of run defense, allowing opponents to average nearly 121 yards per game. Having Cook and Mattison would obviously be beneficial to the Vikings, but Mike Boone is more than capable of filling their roles against the Packers. 

Until last week against the Chargers, Boone hasn’t played a ton of meaningful football since his senior season at Cincinnati. Vikings fans who have paid attention to the team in the preseason have seen the second year running back run with a physical style. 

Of course, being a star in the preseason doesn’t always translate to playing well in the regular season, but Boone now has the chance to show what he can do. 

During his pro day at Cincinnati, Boone put out some of the best metrics for a running back entering the NFL in 2018. According to 247Sports Bearcat Journal, Boone ran a 4.45 40-yard dash, had a 138 inch broad jump and a 42 inch vertical. Again, these numbers don’t necessarily mean anything, but it shows how athletic Boone is. 

To put those numbers into comparison, Cook ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, had a 116 inch broad jump and a 30.5 inch vertical at his combine. 

Earlier this week, Kirk Cousins discussed was quoted on his podcast saying Boone is the real deal. 

Going up against a below average defense, Boone has a chance to really show off again not only to Vikings fans, but to the entire world. His physical yet athletic running style combined with the Gary Kubiak outside zone running scheme should have him poised for success against the league’s 24th ranked run defense. 

Boone is coming off a two quarter performance against the Chargers, where he ran the ball 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns. While averaging 4.3 yards per carry in Los Angelas, Boone stepped up for the absent Cook and Mattison.

The Vikings were questioned by many when they decided to keep four running backs and one fullback, all while only keeping four wide receivers on their 53-man roster. With the team 15 weeks through the regular season, it looks as if the front office made another great decision to keep Boone on the team.

Cook and Mattison miss another practice

Vikings running backs Dalvin Cook (chest) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

In what’s not much of a surprise, Vikings running backs Dalvin Cook (chest) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

We already know that Cook won’t play via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It feels pretty unlikely that Mattison will either, even with it being a Monday game.

We can expect to see a lot of second-year running back Mike Boone.

To round out Minnesota’s injury report, cornerback Xavier Rhodes (ankle), defensive tackle Linval Joseph (knee), defensive tackle (knee) Shamar Stephen and safety Jayron Kearse (toe) were full participants.

We’ll get the official injury designations for these players on Saturday.

Majority of experts have Vikings beating Packers

It’s a significant game for both teams. The Vikings need a win (or a Rams loss) to clinch a playoff spot.

The Vikings are Vegas favorites to beat the Packers in Week 16 on Monday Night Football.

With that, 78 percent of NFL experts are picking the Vikings to beat the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium per NFLPickWatch.

It’s a significant game for both teams. The Vikings need a win (or a Rams loss) to clinch a playoff spot.

It’s also a big game for the Packers. If Green Bay wins out, it will have a wild-card round bye.

The Packers beat the Vikings earlier this season.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (chest) is expected to miss the game, as is his backup Alexander Mattison.

If the Vikings win, it will be Kirk Cousins’ first win on Monday Night Football.

Report: Vikings’ plan is to sit Cook for final 2 games of season

With Cook and Alexander Mattison most likely out in Week 16, we’ll see plenty of second-year running back Mike Boone.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (chest) is expected to miss Monday night’s game against the Packers.

Chad Graff from The Athletic doubled down on that, reporting that the plan is to sit Cook for the final two games of the season (the Vikings play the Bears in Week 17) to rest him for the postseason.

Of course, if the Rams beat the 49ers this week and the Vikings fall to the Packers, it’s pretty easy to see a scenario in which Cook plays in Week 17 in a must-win game for the Vikings.

With Cook and Alexander Mattison most likely out in Week 16, we’ll see second-year running back Mike Boone get most of the carries on Monday night.

Cook and Mattison held out of Thursday’s Vikings practice

Dalvin Cook is dealing with a shoulder injury while Alexander Mattison has an ankle injury.

Viking running backs Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both missed Thursday’s practice as the team prepares for the Packers on MNF in Week 16.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday morning that Cook was unlikely to play on Monday night. The same can probably be said about Mattison, who missed every day of practice last week.

There’s a good chance we’ll see plenty of second-year running back Mike Boone against the Packers.

The good news for the Vikings is that all other players participated in some capacity in practice.

It sounds like Mike Boone will get a big opportunity vs. Packers

In relief duty against the Chargers, Boone ran 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 21 yards.

The Vikings will likely be without running back Dalvin Cook on Monday night against the Packers as he deals with a chest injury.

With rookie Alexander Mattison dealing with an ankle injury, it appears as if we’re in line for plenty of Mike Boone in Week 16.

In relief duty against the Chargers, Boone ran 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 21 yards.

As a rookie in 2018, Boone ran 11 times for 47 yards.

The sample size with Boone is small, but with the team’s zone blocking scheme, it’s a huge opportunity for running backs to have success. For Boone, this is that opportunity. Behind Boone on the depth chart is Ameer Abdullah, who we could see more of on passing plays.

Boone, 24, is under contract for $660,000 next season. Depending on how he plays in a bigger role, that could prove to be an absolute bargain.

There might be a chance that Mattison does play after not practicing at all last week. We’ll know more when the team opens up practice on Thursday.

Report: Vikings RB Dalvin Cook unlikely to play on MNF vs. Packers

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook injured his shoulder in Week 15 against the Chargers.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook injured his shoulder in Week 15 against the Chargers.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that injury is likely to keep Cook out on Monday Night Football against the Packers in Week 16.

That’s unfortunate for a team needing a win to make the playoffs, but Cook’s health is more important down the stretch if the Vikings do make a postseason run.

What’s problematic for the Vikings is that rookie Alexander Mattison, who has served as Cook’s backup this season, missed Week 15 with an ankle injury. We’ll know more about his availability for Week 16 as the week progresses.

If Cook and Mattison are out, the Vikings will rely on Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah. There also could be a corresponding move to bring another running back on the active roster.

Earlier this week, Cook was named to his first Pro Bowl team.

The Vikings will make the postseason with a win over the Packers or a Rams loss to the 49ers.

 

Report: Packers unlikely to face Vikings RB Dalvin Cook on Monday

The Vikings could shut down Dalvin Cook for the final two games of the season, per ESPN.

The Green Bay Packers’ chances of winning the NFC North at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night could get a bump from an important injury.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Minnesota Vikings will likely be without Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, who is still battling a shoulder injury and could be shut down for the rest of the regular season.

Cook, a dynamic runner with 1,654 total yards and 13 touchdowns this season, injured his shoulder in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 12 and then injured it again last Sunday during a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Vikings, now 10-4 and closing in a playoff berth, could sit him during the final two games in hopes of getting his shoulder closer to 100 percent for the postseason.

Cook’s primary backup this season has been rookie Alexander Mattison, who is averaging 4.5 yards per carry, but even he sat out last Sunday’s win with an ankle injury. Third-string running back Mike Boone rushed for 56 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns as the No. 1 option. The Vikings also have former Lions running back Ameer Abdullah.

Not having Cook available would be a major hit for one of the NFL’s most productive rushing offenses.

During the first meeting between the two teams in Week 2, Cook ran for a season-high 154 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Cook is averaging almost 75 rushing yards per carry over three games against the Packers in his NFL career.

The Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win or tie Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, a venue where they’ve never won (0-3).

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