But it’s the total package of Dalvin Cook's performance -- rushing, receiving and pass blocking -- that’s going to force teams to bring their big-boy pants and then some as they scheme for the explosive rookie.

“If I can’t pass protect, I’m not going to be out there, plain and simple,” Cook said. “I have to protect Case [Keenum] or whoever is back there. That’s part of my game, and that’s something I have to do as my job.”

It was a bit of a coming out party for Cook in Week 3. The story said he finally showed what he can do in the passing game, catching all five targets for 72 yards. Eight of the Vikings first nine plays went to Cook.

Vikings starting QB Sam Bradford remains questionable for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, but the Vikings promoting a practice squad quarterback makes it seem Bradford is not a 100 percent lock to be ready for Sunday.

Bradford popped up on the injury report this week with swelling in the knee in which he's had his ACL surgically repaired twice.

Related players: Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph

Bradford is a streaming option in 1QB leagues in Week 2, after a QB3 performance in Week 1 against the Saints. If you are considering starting him on your team, make sure you have an alternative ready to go. The Vikings do have a 1:00 ET start Sunday, increasing the options if Bradford isn't able to go. If Bradford doesn't play, that obviously would downgrade his skill position players too with Case Keenum at back-up quarterback. Be sure to check back for updated rankings before 1:00 ET Sunday if Bradford is ruled out for this week.

Dalvin Cook expected to sleep well Monday night.

The rookie running back made his regular-season debut at U.S. Bank Stadium and had, in the words of Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, an “outstanding” night.

Cook racked up 127 yards on 22 attempts, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, in the Vikings 29-19 defeat of the Saints.

Related players: Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon

With a revamped offensive line, the Viking run game looked good Monday night. Murray didn't help his case by fumbling on his first carry as a Viking and finished with just two carries for six yards. Cook looks to be the clear RB1 in Minnesota.

The Vikings didn’t have a pick in the first round of this year’s draft, but they found starters with three of their first four picks.

The Vikings have second-round pick Dalvin Cook, third-round pick Pat Elflein and fourth-round pick Ben Gedeon listed as starters on their depth chart heading into Monday’s game against the Saints.

Related Players: Latavius Murray

Cook is listed ahead of Latavius Murray at running back, which comes as no surprise after a summer that saw Murray limited by offseason ankle surgery and Cook getting praised by Vikings coaches at every turn. Murray got healthy by the end of the preseason, but it will be equally unsurprising if Cook should find himself getting the lion’s share of the work as his rookie season unfolds.

Dalvin Cook picked up 33 yards on three consecutive carries against the Seahawks, showing off his combination of power and elusiveness once he finds a seam. Cook’s production came behind a patchwork offensive line that expects to return two of its starters — Alex Boone and Riley Reiff — for the next preseason game on Aug. 27.

Dalvin Cook has played 36 snaps this preseason. That's about one half of a game. He has touched the ball 17 times (12 carries and 5 receptions). That's exciting bell cow level production for a rookie whose ADP has moved into the 4th round. Cook also has the third-easiest schedule by our PPR RB aFPA tool. It's looking more and more that Cook will line up as the starter in Week 1. The Vikings had a lot of problems running the ball last year, but signed tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and drafted center Pat Elflein (3rd round) and guard Danny Isidora in an effort to rebuild the offensive line. Cook has had a good spring and his primary competition (Latavius Murray) is still well behind after offseason ankle surgery.

Latavius Murray wants to be on the field in a game uniform, but the running back and the Vikings know it’s more important for him to be fully ready first.

Murray signed with Minnesota during free agency but needed ankle surgery (which he disclosed to the team before signing). The rehab sidelined him for the team’s offseason program and delayed his participation in practices until the final two days of training camp at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

“I’m feeling really good, was able to do a little bit more last week in practice, so I want to keep going on that trend and hopefully feel better each day,” Murray said. “I definitely like where I’m heading."

Related players: Dalvin Cook

The Vikings shifted Murray from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List on Aug. 7, and he participated in individual drills that day and Aug. 8. He did not play in the Vikings preseason opener last Thursday at Buffalo but said on Tuesday that he is continuing to make progress. While Murray misses time, Cook continues to impress in his quest to win the RB1 job.

The Minnesota Vikings weren't shy about giving rookie Dalvin Cook the ball in his preseason debut.

Cook either took a handoff or caught a pass on nine of the 13 offensive plays that the Vikings' starting offense ran against the Buffalo Bills. He finished with five runs for 13 yards and four receptions for 30 yards.

"He got what was there," head coach Mike Zimmer said. "The thing I liked about him was when it got into tight quarters, he lowered his shoulder and tried to fight for the extra couple yards."

Related players: Latavius Murray, Jerrick McKinnon

The story said Cook has put himself into position to win the starting job while Murray continues to rehab from ankle surgery. Both Murray and McKinnon didn't play in the team's preseason opener.

The Vikings on Monday activated running back Latavius Murray from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List.

The veteran running back signed with Minnesota in March, disclosing at the time that he would need ankle surgery. He spent all of the offseason program rehabbing and was placed on the Active/PUP list when veterans reported to training camp.

Murray was not listed on the Vikings initial depth chart ahead of their first preseason game, with rookie Dalvin Cook listed as the starter.

Murray has a lot of ground to make up on Cook at this point. It's looking more and more that Cook will line up as the starter in Week 1. The Vikings had a lot of problems running the ball last year, but signed tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and drafted center Pat Elflein (3rd round) and guard Danny Isidora in an effort to rebuild the offensive line. Cook has had a good spring and Murray, at this point, is likely in a RB by committee at best.

Vikings rookie RB Dalvin Cook is the starter, ahead of Jerrick McKinnon. Yes, it's just the first depth chart ahead of a preseason opener, but it confirms all the praise that Cook has received from his teammates and coaching staff in training camp. Free agent acquisition Latavius Murray is not on the depth chart, still on the PUP list, recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

Head coach Mike Zimmer said of Murray last week, "He is a smart guy, but he needs to get out there” on the practice field.

Related players: Sam Bradford, Stefon Diggs

It's looking more and more that Cook will line up as the starter in Week 1. The Vikings had a lot of problems running the ball last year, but signed tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and drafted center Pat Elflein (3rd round) and guard Danny Isidora in an effort to rebuild the offensive line. Cook has had a good spring and his primary competition (Latavius Murray) has been sidelined as he recovers from ankle surgery.

The Vikings announced that running back Latavius Murray and linebacker Shaan Washington have been placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Related players: Dalvin Cook

This is perhaps good news for Dalvin Cook owners. He was already getting a bit of a head start with the rookies, but with Murray on the PUP list, Cook seems to be in line for a lot of reps.