The Minnesota Vikings have a must-win matchup ahead of them in Week 5 as they face the Detroit Lions. But one key name was listed as inactive ahead of the game's kickoff – star running back Dalvin Cook.

Just days before the tilt, the Vikings star was adamant that he'd play through the ankle injury he had suffered back in Week 2.

Via ESPN's Courtney Cronin:

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“That's the plan,” the Vikings running back said Wednesday. “I don't feel like I'm getting worse. I don't feel like I'm headed in the wrong direction. I feel like I'm headed in the right direction to get myself back to where I need to be at. You have those days, but we just played a game. Just trying to work myself back to being 100% so I can help us win games.”

However, signs clearly pointed to those words being empty as Cook had missed practices on both Wednesday and Thursday, admitting he was just “not 100% yet”.

Even without their 2-time Pro Bowler, the Vikings must take advantage of a favorable matchup against a winless Lions squad. Pulling off the victory without Dalvin Cook would be huge in order to grant him another week's worth of rest.