Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook's season is over in the wake of an unexpected family tragedy.
On Tuesday, the star halfback got word that his father James, suddenly passed away at the age of 46, prompting Cook to fly home to be with his siblings in his hometown of Miami, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.
James Cook had reportedly been suffering from issues related to diabetes.
Source says that #Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is flying now back home to Miami due to his father James Cook dying at the age of 46. Cook will not play in Sunday's finale at Detroit. Source said James Cook had been diabetic. Condolences to Dalvin's family.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 30, 2020
According to Cronin, Cook will not be able to return to his team in time to undergo the daily COVID-19 testing necessary for him to be allowed to play on Sunday. Minnesota will travel to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions in the Week 17 matchup.
The 6-9 Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention, therefore bringing Cook's stellar 2020 campaign to a close.
Despite the team's disappointing season, the 25-year old tailback was one of the best players in football. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,918), and rushed for a career-best 1,557 yards in 14 games, trailing only Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry (1,777).
He became the third Vikings player in franchise history to surpass 1,500 rushing yards in a season, joining Adrian Peterson and Robert Smith.
Through 16 weeks, Cook's tally of 16 rushing touchdowns is tied with New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara for the league lead.
In September, the Vikings inked the Pro Bowl running back to a lucrative five-year extension worth $63 million (including $28.2 million guaranteed and a $15.5 million signing bonus). In the first year of the deal, Cook more than justified the pay raise with his increased production.
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