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).
