Report: Vikings' Cook to miss at least 2 games with shoulder injury

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is expected to miss at least the next two games with a shoulder injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The team is hopeful Cook will return for their Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Schefter adds. The Vikings' next two games involve a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday before taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers the following Thursday.

Head coach Mike Zimmer denied earlier reports Monday that Cook tore his labrum, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Zimmer declined to specify the exact injury but called the running back day-to-day.

Cook was carted off in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers and was set to undergo an MRI on Monday.

Alexander Mattison will lead Minnesota's backfield while Cook is sidelined. He's made two starts this season and has racked up 464 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns.

Cook has been one of the league's most dominant running backs in recent years, earning Pro Bowl nods in each of his last two seasons. He's rushed for 773 yards and four touchdowns in 2021.

The Vikings are second in the NFC North with a 5-6 record.

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