The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Green Bay Packers in a massive NFC North rivalry showdown on Monday Night Football. If the Vikings lose this game, the Packers will win the division crown. On the other hand, if the Vikings can pull out a big win, they are going to make things interesting for Week 17.
Unfortunately, the Vikings are coming into this game severely short-handed at the running back position. Dalvin Cook is going to miss the game due to a shoulder injury, while backup running back Alexander Mattison is also dealing with injury concerns.
According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, Mattison is not expected to play tomorrow night against the Packers.
With the Vikings now having wrapped up a playoff slot, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for Minnesota to play injured RB Alexander Mattison. And so with Dalvin Cook out and Mattison hobbled, Monday night figures to be the Mike Boone show.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 22, 2019
As Schefter mentioned, Mike Boone is now the next man up for the Vikings. He is a talented back who rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. Boone will need to have another good performance against the Packers to help take pressure off of Kirk Cousins.
Mattison not playing is a big loss for the Vikings. He has been having an impressive rookie season, carrying the football 100 times for 462 yards and a touchdowns. In addition to his rushing numbers, he has caught 10 passes for 82 yards.
Minnesota will have their work cut out for them on the offensive side of the football. Cousins will likely have to shoulder a larger workload than normal, but the Vikings will have to do whatever it takes to compete with a very good Packers' team.
