The Minnesota Vikings have a Divisional Round playoff matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on tap Saturday. But that doesn't mean they aren't thinking about the future.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Vikings are looking to lock running back Dalvin Cook up to a contract extension this offseason.
Cook played in 14 games during the regular season, racking up 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also averaged 4.5 yards per carry. In addition, he hauled in 53 receptions for 519 yards, earning a Pro Bowl selection.
During Minnesota's Wild Card Round win over the New Orleans Saints last week, Cook carried the ball 28 times for 94 yards and a couple of scores.
The 24-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Florida State, was originally selected by the Vikings in the second round (41st pick overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Of course, while Cook is supremely talented, his injury history may end up affecting negotiations. Since entering the league, Cook has never played a full season.
His rookie campaign was cut short after just four games due to a torn ACL. And in 2018, more knee issues limited him to a mere 10 contests.
Cook also missed Weeks 16 and 17 of this season as a result of a shoulder injury.
When Cook is on the field, there is no doubting his production. He rushed for 354 yards and a pair of touchdowns while logging a robust 4.8 yards per attempt during his abbreviated rookie year. In 2018, he totaled 615 yards while reaching the end zone twice as a rusher, also catching 40 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
But there are legitimate questions as to just how durable Cook will be moving forward.
Follow Us
Subscribe