MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings running back Dalvin Cook returned to practice Wednesday and said his injured groin is feeling good ahead of Sunday's game in Green Bay.
Cook has not played since straining his groin while running a route in the Oct. 4 loss in Seattle; he sat out the next game against the Falcons before the Vikings' bye week.
Despite two weeks' rest, Cook is still ranked fifth in the NFL with 489 rushing yards and 18th in the league with 553 yards from scrimmage, and he said the bye week has him feeling productive again.
"Just getting back to feeling like Dalvin," Cook said.
Vikings coaches are preparing to have Cook available against the Packers, but coach Mike Zimmer said he needs to see Cook practice before making a final determination. Cook was listed as a limited participant Wednesday.
"I assume that he'll be ready," Zimmer said.
Alexander Mattison had mixed results filling in for Cook, running for a career-high 112 yards in Seattle before a quiet first NFL start against Atlanta, finishing with 10 carries for 26 yards. Whether Cook returns to the same 75-80% playing time right away remains to be seen while he manages the groin strain that provided pain in an unusual spot.
"You pretty much let it calm down," Cook said. "The area is so sensitive, and just like it's a different spot. You pretty much let it calm down and heal itself. You do the strengthening part to get your muscles back intact and the rest."
Guards Pat Elflein (thumb) and Dru Samia (wrist) also returned to practice. Elflein remains on injured reserve, but the Vikings have an open roster spot and can activate him before Sunday's game if he's ready. Samia, who made four starts for Elflein at right guard, was listed as a full participant after missing the Falcons game.
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