Vikings coach Mike Zimmer pushes back against report Dalvin Cook could be out Sunday

There is some uncertainty about whether Dalvin Cook will be able to play through his shoulder injury.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Cook is unlikely to play Sunday, and that he could potentially miss the next two weeks with his shoulder injury.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer didn’t clear things up much Thursday, but he did push back against a report that Cook is unlikely to play in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer asked about ESPN report Dalvin Cook won't play this week vs. #Packers: "I didn't see any report."

Zimmer asked how he's doing and if he'll play Monday night: "I think he's doing well, and we'll just see."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) December 19, 2019

This is pretty standard coach speak. Zimmer doesn’t want to give anything away to the Packers as both teams prepare for this pivotal Week 16 game. With two weeks remaining, the Packers lead the Vikings in the NFC North by one game.

If Cook is healthy enough to play, he is obviously a huge part of Minnesota’s offensive game plan. If he isn’t able to play, then the Vikings will have to rely on Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone and fullback C.J. Ham, with Alexander Mattison still dealing with an injury of his own.

So it’s easy to see why Zimmer is holding out hope that Cook can play.