Per Kevin Seifert, "All that remains is for the Vikings to formalize Dalvin Cook's exit, a denouement that seems likely if not completely certain."

Related Players: Alexander Mattison

We've seen the Vikings allow Alexander Mattison to fill in as a 1v1 replacement for Cook in the past but fantasy managers often overlook how Mattison has been thoroughly inefficient with those opportunities over the last two seasons.

Nonetheless, rumors leading up to an eventual trade (hello, Dolphins) will continue to boost Mattison's stock until it finally shoots him up to where we should probably avoid him. At this time, Mattison's ADP is in the 7th round as the RB25.

The only change that has happened within the last few weeks is the Vikings’ addition of UAB running back DeWayne McBride in the seventh round of the draft.

While it’s easy to salivate over McBride’s early-down potential, his learning curve will be steep. Pass protection assignments will require study. The Vikings also have faith in Alexander Mattison, whom they re-signed in free agency, and Ty Chandler, whom the team drafted in 2022.

Dalvin Cook has dealt with injuries through most of his NFL career, including an offseason surgery to repair a shoulder injury. An interested team would have to take on his contract which currently makes him the fourth-highest paid RB I'm the league.

He is currently ranked outside of the top-12 RBs in 4for4's rankings.

Per Breer, "Another name to watch as a potential trade target this weekend would be Dalvin Cook. The Vikings have been communicative with their star tailback—and receptive to the idea of bringing him back—but it just won’t happen at the rate of $11 million he’s due this fall."

Related Players: Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu

Breer goes on to say that the Vikings haven't shopped Cook, but if they land a running back in the first two days, Cook could be gone by the weekend. In this scenario, they will likely land a talent superior to that of Alexander Mattison, which hurts his value just as much as it helps. A third-round RB in Minnesota would be an immediate fantasy asset.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was recently in Minnesota for a post-surgery checkup on his shoulder and is said to be making excellent progress, per sources. Cook played the last three seasons while protecting the injured shoulder, which is now 100% stable and stronger.

Related Players: Alexander Mattison

If Cook is still on the trading block, it will be in the best interests of both himself and the Vikings to pump the positive news about his oft-injured shoulder. The running back has the fourth-highest cap hit on a team that is just barely below the cap as it is. The team recently re-signed backfield-mate Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7M contract that could give us an idea of their future plans.

Mattison has performed decently in Cook's absences in the past, but doesn't have the prerequisite skill to truly hold a bellcow role.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is off the injury report and will play against the Saints on Sunday in London.

Related Players: Alexander Mattison

Cook immediately plugs back in as an RB1 option for Sunday morning's game now that he's off the injury report. It's a good idea to make sure Alexander Mattison is not on the waiver wire in your league.

It’s “safe to assume” that tailback Dalvin Cook (shoulder) won’t practice today, Kevin O’Connell said.

Related players: Alexander Mattison

Cook is still considered day to day for Sunday, the tweet went on to say. It added they’ll try to get him some work at least in walk-throughs this week before making a decision on whether he will play vs. Saints. Mattison would get the start and be a potential RB1 candidate against the Saints in a game that will be played in London.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell says that Dalvin Cook is day-to-day after leaving Week 3 with a shoulder injury.

Related Players: Alexander Mattison

Mattison has proved over and over again that he is a legitimate fantasy asset when Cook is forced to miss games, including his 44-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 3. He currently stands as the RB20 (before MNF) on the week, despite only logging 39% of the offensive snaps.

After the team announced starting tight end Irv Smith Jr. would miss the preseason with a thumb injury, starting running back Dalvin Cook left the practice field with what appeared to be a hand injury. He returned for one team snap and then sat out the rest of Tuesday's practice at TCO Performance Center.

Later, his backup, Alexander Mattison, also appeared to injure a finger on a play. He, too, watched the rest of practice from the sideline.

And a third running back, Kene Nwangwu, suffered what coach Kevin O'Connell called a "soft-tissue, lower-leg injury" on Monday. Nwangwu sat out Monday and Tuesday.

There wasn't any other information but hopefully the injuries aren't serious. Cook, of course, is ranked high among running backs in terms of fantasy value, and we have him sixth on our running back list.

Viking put RB Alexander Mattison and WR Dan Chisena on COVID-19 reserve list, guard Kyle Hinton on practice squad COVID-19 list and LB Ryan Connelly goes to IR.

Related players: Dalvin Cook, Wayne Gallman, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham

The Viking claimed RB Gallman off waivers in another move. Gallman likely at least slides in behind Cook and Nwangwu. Cook was dominant last week coming back from a shoulder injury but has dealt with his share of injuries this year and in his career, so his handcuff any given week is always worth noting.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (ankle) will not play Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is questionable.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Tyler Conklin

The short week was going to keep Thielen out. While Obsorn is expected to start in Thielen's place, do not be surprised if Tyler Conklin gets more run.