Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook suffered an injury during Week 12’s action, but, according to the latest NFL rumors, he won’t be gone for too long. In other news, running back Christian McCaffrey spoke about his season-ending injury, while Russell Wilson acknowledged he needs to get DK Metcalf incorporated into the passing game.
NFL Rumors: Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Russell Wilson
Dalvin Cook to Miss “At Least” Two Weeks
According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, running back Dalvin Cook is going to miss the next two weeks of action after suffering a shoulder injury in Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Mike Zimmer previously said Cook was day-to-day, but it looks as though that outlook might have been a little optimistic.
Vikings’ RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is expected to miss at least the next two games – Sunday at Detroit and the following Thursday against Pittsburgh – with the hope being that he can return the next week for the Monday night Dec. 20 game at Chicago, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2021
In his absence, the Vikings will likely turn the ball over to Alexander Mattison, with Kene Ngwanwu earning a few snaps as a backup. Cook has already missed two games this year, and Mattison has recorded a combined 225 yards as the de-facto starter.
The Vikings currently sit at 5-6 and find themselves in a four-way tie for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. Minnesota faces off against a hapless Lions team next week before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. Even without Cook, these are winnable matchups, and the running back could return to a postseason-bound roster.
Christian McCaffrey Releases Statement Following Season-Ending Injury
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is officially done for the season. News broke on Monday that the hyper-athletic running back injured his ankle in Week 12 and is heading to the injured reserve. Since this is his second stint on the IR, he is no longer eligible to return and is done for the season. Obviously devastated by this news, the running back released the following statement.
“I love playing football and have dedicated my entire life to what I believe to be the greatest sport in the world. Getting healthy and back on the field this season has been my focus everyday from the time I wake up until I go to bed. I’ve put family, friends, and other interests on hold so I can fully concentrate my efforts on treatment, training, practicing, studying, preparing, and playing the game I love at the highest level, which is why my season coming to an abrupt end today leaves me devastated. I am thankful to everyone who continue to help and support me through this difficult time and promise I will fight with everything I have to return bigger, stronger, faster, and better than ever. #KeepPounding.
Of course, McCaffrey is no stranger to the injury bug. Ever since signing his massive extension, the running back has played in just 10 of a possible 33 games. On the season, the former first-round pick will finish the year with 99 carries for 442 yards and a touchdown to go along with 37 receptions, 343 yards, and a score.
Matt Rhule was hired prior to the 2020 season.
With news that Christian McCaffrey is done for the year, he will have started and finished just 6 of Rhule's first 33 games as a head coach.
A frustrating two years for CMC.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 29, 2021
Russell Wilson: “We Got To Find Ways” to Get DK Metcalf the Football
Russell Wilson’s return to the field has not gone as planned for just about anyone in Seattle, but that’s especially true of DK Metcalf. In the three games since Wilson returned from his thumb injury, Metcalf has recorded a combined 70 yards, good for a 23.3 per-game average. The low point came on Monday Night Football when Wilson and Metcalf connected just one time for 13 yards.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Wilson acknowledged that he needed to do a better job getting the ball to his superstar receiver.
“Obviously we need to get DK the football. We called several plays for him…He’s one of the best football players in the world. We got to get him the football. We’ve got to study it and find out what we can do.”
At 3-8, the season is pretty much over for the Seattle Seahawks. The Detroit Lions are the only team in the conference with a worse record, and Wilson simply hasn’t looked like himself since returning from injury. At this point, Seattle should just worry about making sure all the cogs start clicking heading into the offseason, and that starts by getting Metcalf more involved in the passing game.
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