Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (chest) is ruled out and Alexander Mattison (ankle) is questionable for Monday night against the Packers.

Cook did not practice all week, but Mattison was testing his ankle in drills Saturday. It’s shaping up to be a true game-time decision on Mattison. If he can’t go, Mike Boone has a chance to be this year’s unlikely fantasy championship hero.

Vikings RBs Dalvin Cook (chest) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both missed practice again on Friday.

It's looking unlikely either will play on Monday, opening the door for Mike Boone, who scored two touchdowns after Cook exited the game in Week 15. Boone is looking like an unlikely fantasy championship hero for Week 16, as he is now in line for a big workload. He's right on the cusp of an RB2-level play this week. Check the Saturday report for the official word on the running backs.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is unlikely to play Monday night against the Packers.

Sources also told ESPN‘s Courtney Cronin that Minnesota is considering shutting Cook down for the final two games of the regular season. The plan would be to keep Cool fresh for the playoffs. Minnesota has all but punched their ticket to the postseason. The only way they miss is by losing their last two games and the Rams win their last two games. Minnesota finishes the season against the Packers and Bears, L.A. has the 49ers and Cardinals.

If Minnesota does sit Cook, they’ll be left with Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone and fullback C.J. Ham. Alexander Mattison has an ankle injury and did not play in Week 15.

“Yeah, it feels good today.” - Coach Zimmer on if Dalvin Cook
could play through injury suffered yesterday.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone

Cook owners may not have a chance to play him in Week 16 unless they survived his early exit in Week 15. The Vikings won't play until Monday night next week, so Cook owners moving on will need a backup plan in place. Mattison was inactive with an ankle injury leaving Boone to get the work in Week 15 after Cook left. It's a situation to monitor as it's likely worth adding Boone to rosters just to be safe.

As the Vikings blew past the Chargers on Sunday, they did so without their standout running back.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook left Sunday's 39-10 win over the Bolts with a shoulder injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Related players: Mike Boone, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah

Cook took a handoff early in the third quarter to the left side and was tackled by Denzel Perryman and injured on the play. Making his way to the medical tent, Cook emerged, but didn't have his helmet on and was ruled out by the team with the Vikings leading 18-10. Mattison was inactive in Week 15 and so it was Boone who rushed for 56 yards and two scores. It will be an interesting Viking RB situation heading into Week 16.