The Vikings ruled running back Alexander Mattison out for Sunday’s game because of an illness, meaning they’ll have to use Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah on the occasions they want to spell Cook. Mattison’s illness is not believed to be related to COVID-19, but it will nonetheless keep him out for a game where the Vikings might look to lighten Cook’s workload somewhat.
Cook is the only running back in the NFL to have three games this season where he’s touched the ball at least 30 times, and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said on KFAN this week that Cook has been “beat up” the past few weeks.