Vikings OC Gary Kubiak told KFAN that Minnesota RB Dalvin Cook had been beat up these last couple of weeks.
“He’s been hit pretty hard the last couple of weeks, taking some poundings,” Kubiak told KFAN (H/T Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press). “It’s at that point of the season so we’ve got to get him freshened up this week and get him back to being himself. … He’s just kind of beat up.”
Also this week, Cook was asked about whether getting worn down as the season progressed was a concern or not. It’s safe to say that it doesn’t seem like too much of a worry for him.
“I don’t know what that is. What is that — wear down? What does that mean?” Cook said, per Pro Football Talk. “I’m a running back. I’m a running back just like anybody else. I don’t think that’s a question you’ll ask Derrick Henry or anybody else. I’m a running back. There’s no wearing down. I’m ready to tote the ball.”
Cook has 1,130 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns this season. He has 219 rushing attempts already, after having 250 all of the 2019 regular season. If the Vikings do ease back Cook’s carries, expect Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone to get bigger roles. That has yet to happen, but you never know.
