Cook had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament as a rookie in the fourth game and was lost for the season. Then Minnesota failed to make the playoffs last season.
But Cook, recovered from a shoulder injury after missing the final two regular-season games, finally will make his playoff debut when the Vikings play at New Orleans on Sunday.
“I was wishing I was out there,’’ Cook said of two years ago. “But now it’s my turn. … Tough scenario, tough situation, rookie in the league (in 2017), I wanted to play … It was tough watching. Now, I’m good. Last time I’m missing games.’’
Cook suffered a shoulder injury Dec. 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He could have played again in the regular season had it been absolutely necessary, but the Vikings opted to rest him for the postseason.
“Feel good,’’ he said Monday. “Two weeks of rest, treatment real hard, putting the time in. … I’ll be ready to go.’’
Cook rushed for 1,135 yards to become Minnesota’s first 1,000-yard back since Adrian Peterson in 2015. When he sat out an ugly 23-10 loss to Green Bay in Week 16, the Packers respected the run a lot less than they had in a 21-16 home win in Week 2, when Cook rushed for a career-most 154 yards.
“It obviously changed quite a bit the way they played us compared to when we have him,’’ said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.
For the final three games of the regular season, the Vikings didn’t have backup running back Alexander Mattison because of a high right ankle sprain. Their feature back for the final two games was third-stringer Mike Boone, who rushed for a career-high 148 yards in a 21-19 loss to Chicago on Sunday, when the Vikings mostly played reserves with no playoff implications at stake.
After the Vikings learned late Sunday night they would open with the Saints, Cook talked to New Orleans running back Latavius Murray, who played the previous two seasons with Minnesota before rushing for 637 yards in 2019 with the Saints.
“We’re ready to play against each other,’’ Cook said. “It’s the right scenario. It’s the playoffs. Tay was just here; now we’re playing against each other.’’
Cook vows to be ready for his playoff debut.
“We’re going to be hyped,’’ he said. “Fans are going to be ready to go. We’ve just got to control our emotions and know what we’re here for. That’s to win football games.’’
Stefanski to interview
A source confirmed Cleveland has requested to interview Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski for its head coach position, which opened when Freddie Kitchens was fired Sunday after one season.
Stefanski was a finalist for the Browns’ job last January and had two interviews before Kitchens was selected.
“I’m not going to talk about those things,’’ Zimmer said of Stefanski’s situation.
Regardless of whether the Vikings win or lose Sunday, the Browns can interview Stefanski next week.
“I think he’d do a great job in that role,’’ said Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. “He has all the things you need to be a good coach in this league.’’
Briefly
- Eric Kendricks was rated as the NFL’s top linebacker by Pro Football Focus, and Anthony Harris the second-best safety. Harris had six interceptions to tie for the NFL lead, becoming the first Minnesota player to lead since Brian Russell in 2003. He had the most interceptions by a Vikings player since Darren Sharper’s nine in 2005.
- After three straight top-four finishes, the Vikings were 14th in the NFL in total defense in 2019, their lowest rating since they were 14th in Zimmer’s first season in 2014. The Vikings, after being in the top 10 for much of the season, finished 16th in total offense.
- Two-time Pro Bowl selection Thielen was impressed observing New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees before the game two years ago. “He’s 100 percent focused on practice when practice at the Pro Bowl doesn’t mean a whole lot,’’ Thielen said. “That’s why he’s great.’’
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December 31, 2019 at 08:00AM
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Vikings RB Dalvin Cook 'ready to go' for Sunday's playoff debut at New Orleans - Grand Forks Herald
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