EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings announced Thursday that they have placed running back Dalvin Cook on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Vikings Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak said Thursday Cook will not play Sunday against the Rams.
"Big challenge not having Dalvin," Kubiak said. "Obviously a team captain and great player. Unfortunately, he won't be available."
Cook, who was named to the Pro Bowl on Monday, leads the NFC (and ranks third in the NFL) with 1,067 rushing yards. He has 226 carries and six scores on the season.
Cook's absence will be a massive blow to the Vikings offense — and the team in general — as Minnesota tries to get into the playoffs down the stretch. The Vikings (7-7) currently hold the third and final NFC Wild Card spot with three games left.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 5, 2022.
1 K Greg Joseph
1 K Greg Joseph
3 P Jordan Berry
16 P Jordan Berry
7 CB Patrick Peterson
7 CB Patrick Peterson
8 QB Kirk Cousins
8 QB Kirk Cousins
11 QB Kellen Mond
11 QB Kellen Mond
12 WR Dede Westbrook
12 WR Dede Westbrook
14 QB Sean Mannion
14 QB Sean Mannion
15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
17 WR K.J. Osborn
17 WR K.J. Osborn
18 WR Justin Jefferson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
20 CB Harrison Hand
20 CB Harrison Hand
22 S Harrison Smith
22 S Harrison Smith
23 S Xavier Woods
23 S Xavier Woods
24 CB Mackensie Alexander
24 CB Mackensie Alexander
2 RB Alexander Mattison
2 RB Alexander Mattison
26 RB Kene Nwangwu
26 RB Kene Nwangwu
3 CB Cameron Dantzler
27 CB Cameron Dantzler
29 CB Kris Boyd
29 CB Kris Boyd
30 FB C.J. Ham
30 FB C.J. Ham
31 RB Wayne Gallman
31 RB Wayne Gallman
4 RB Dalvin Cook
33 RB Dalvin Cook
35 TE Luke Stocker
35 TE Luke Stocker
41 LB Chazz Surratt
41 LB Chazz Surratt
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
44 S Josh Metellus
44 S Josh Metellus
45 LB Troy Dye
45 LB Troy Dye
48 LB Blake Lynch
48 LB Blake Lynch
52 G Wyatt Davis
52 G Wyatt Davis
55 LB Anthony Barr
55 LB Anthony Barr
56 C Garrett Bradbury
56 C Garett Bradbury
58 DT Michael Pierce
58 DT Michael Pierce
59 LB Nick Vigil
59 LB Nick Vigil
64 T Blake Brandel
64 T Blake Brandel
69 T Rashod Hill
69 T Rashod Hill
74 G Olisaemeka Udoh
74 G Olisaemeka Udoh
75 T Brian O'Neill
75 T Brian O'Neill
78 G Dakota Dozier
78 G Dakota Dozier
83 TE Tyler Conklin
83 TE Tyler Conklin
85 WR Dan Chisena
85 WR Dan Chisena
90 DT Sheldon Richardson
90 DT Sheldon Richardson
92 DT James Lynch
92 DT James Lynch
91 OLB Patrick Jones II
91 DE Patrick Jones II
94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson
94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson
96 DT Armon Watts
96 DT Armon Watts
98 DE D.J. Wonnum
98 DE D.J. Wonnum
Alexander Mattison, who was activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, is now in line to start against the Rams on Sunday. The Vikings also have fullback C.J. Ham and running backs Kene Nwangwu and Wayne Gallman on the active roster.
"We've been through this this year already, and guys have stepped up," Kubiak said. "Alex has stepped up, Kene is getting more comfortable, and it's Week 2 with Wayne Gallman. Hammer has always been a Swiss Army knife. We've just got to go with the guys that we've got."
Justin Jefferson said the Vikings offense will have to find a way to succeed without the star running back.
"Just knowing how much he wanted to be out there with us, knowing how much he loves the game, just loves competing with us, it's definitely tough not having a player like him on that field," Jefferson said. "But I know Matt is going to do a great job. I know the other backs that we have are going to do a great job replacing him.
"We just know as receivers that we've got to step up a little bit more," Jefferson added. "We've got to make those plays, those 1-on-1 balls. We've just got to come mentally prepared to do what we've got to do."
Additionally, the Vikings signed running back A.J. Rose, Jr., to the practice squad.
Minnesota also announced that cornerback Tye Smith was placed on the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Vikings also activated wide receiver Dan Chisena from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and guard Kyle Hinton from the activated from the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list.
